CHRISTIAN Brother Alan Moss was remembered by his friends, family and fellow brothers for his gifted mind, especially for languages, and as a gracious man with a welcoming smile.
Br Moss was a pioneering academic at the newly-founded Australian Catholic University at Mitchelton and Banyo when he joined in the 1980s .
Professor Denis McLoughlin said Br Moss introduced thousands of students to a “reflective, scholarly, appreciation of the Gospels”.
“Not surprisingly, he was invited to become a foundation member of the ACU’s Centre for Early Christian Studies,” he said.
“He also taught the Wisdom Scriptures to hundreds of postgraduate students.
“He published extensively in quality academic journals, and in 2015 he authored his highly respected book entitled Proverbs.”
He said the staff who taught with him remembered him with love.
Br Moss was taught at St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon and took part in all the sports on offer – cricket, rugby league, athletics and cross-country.
His family was supportive of his choice to become a Christian Brother when he entered at the beginning of 1951.
During his studies, he received many academic honours and awards.
He had a gift for languages.
Christian Brother Brian Grenier told the story of when they were studying alongside each other in Rome.
Their lectures were given in French, so Br Grenier would have his French Jerusalem Bible open, be listening to the French lecturer, and doing his best to take notes down in English.
Whereas Br Moss would have his Hebrew Bible open, be listening to the French lecturer and be taking all his notes in French, which was not of course his first language.
Fellow Christian Brother Barry Buckley said Br Moss was a faithful and committed brother.
He said he always tried his best to make use of his academic and linguistic ability with a serious commitment to study and self-improvement.
He did this to constantly improve his teaching responsibilities.
Br Buckley said Br Moss was also respectful in all his dealings, especially his students.
“So we give thanks for the life of this faithful, scholarly Christian Brother who asked little for himself but used his gifts and talents generously for others vale, Alan, our Brother,” he said.
“Rest in peace.”
