FORMER St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland state president Brian Moore, who regularly wrote a column for The Catholic Leader, has died from a long-term illness.
A Vinnies member for more than 50 years, Mr Moore held various roles as a Vincentian, including state president, senior vice president of the society’s state council, diocesan president Toowoomba and regional president in the Toowoomba region on three occasions.
State president Dennis Innes said Mr Moore left a lasting legacy on the organisation, not only throughout the Toowoomba region, but across the state.
“Having served the Society for over five decades in a number of different leadership roles Brian had a huge impact, the Society would not be where it is today without his passion and dedication,” Mr Innes said.
“He was a man who practiced his beliefs every day in helping the lonely, checking on the sick and providing assistance to the people of the Toowoomba and Warwick communities over many years.
“Brian will be greatly missed by us all for his guidance, love, compassion and respect for others.
“Our deepest sympathies are with his wife Beverley and his extended family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.”
Mr Moore’s monthly column in The Catholic Leader offered a Vincentian perspective on the world at large and kept readers up to date with all things Vinnies.
In his last Vinnies View column on March 31 column, Mr Moore wrote about Lent, the danger of secularism and a renewal of faith.
“The season of Lent should never be seen as boring period, it is a great opportunity for us all – to take up our cross and follow Christ, to renew our faith, and to refresh and strengthen our relationship with God, through prayer and actions of penance,” Mr Moore wrote.
“Jesus said, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’.
“He also said, ‘For whoever wants to save his own life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it’. (Luke 9: 23-24)
“Do you remember the childhood saying, ‘Finders keepers, losers are weepers’.
“Jesus has a different version for us to consider.
“He tells us that, ‘Losers are keepers’.
“It is indeed true, that it costs to follow Jesus – but it costs more not to.
“How many of us are really willing to bear a cross for Jesus?
“Are we prepared to lose our life for Him, only to find it?
“They are challenging questions to reflect upon.
“Jesus calls us to die every day to our selfish plans, ambitions and self-fulfilment.
“In other words – it is a matter of letting His will be done and not ours.”
Mr Moore was also involved in a number Vinnies’ State Committees, and most recently served in the role of Good Works Ambassador.
Peter Maher, who recently retired as chief executive officer of Vinnies Queensland, said Mr Moore exemplified what being a Vincentian was all about.
“What impressed me the most about Brian was his commitment to the Society, to its mission and ethos,” he said.
“Whenever Brian saw a need he did something about it, whether it was to set up transport services for people with disabilities, a food division, a training program for members or a new Vinnies Centre, the list goes on.
“Brian really understood what it was to be a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, to be a Vincentian.”
