Ralin De Souza sdb GOA, MAY 17, 2009: Fr. Maurice was born on December 5, 1953 to Victor and Helen Figueiredo in Nairobi, Kenya. After his confirmation in St. Theresa’s Church, Nairobi, he came to India and joined the St. Paul’s Apostolic School, Borivli, Bombay; his first Salesian contact. He joined the Savio Juniorate in Guwahati in 1973, perhaps wanting to pursue his missionary vocation. But being a British passport holder he had constant trouble 
with the authorities and so he decided to join the Bombay Province. Having finished his earlier formation in Yercaud and his practical training in Lonavla and Matunga, he went on to complete his theological studies in Bangalore. In December 1985, he was ordained priest in his native village, Carmona, Goa.
As a Salesian priest he did a year’s ministry in Kudal and then went to Sonada to complete his graduation (BA). His interest in Catechetics and his dynamic and effective way of conducting sessions, made him proficient as a catechist. He was Assistant Director at the Catechetical Centre in Pune (1987-88) and later went on to guide the Centre for a term of 6 years (1988-93). He helped develop the upcoming Catechetical Centre in Benaulim (1993-97), and was then sent back to Catechetical Centre in Pune (1997-2001). After a short stint at Sirsi as Parish Priest, Fr. Maurice was re-appointed as Director of the Catechetical Centre in Benaulim, (2003-2009), making this Centre popular and well sort after, especially in the south of Goa.
As a Salesian Fr. Maurice has held various posts: Diocesan Director of Catechetics in the Diocese of Pune, Director of Salesian Catechetical Centre, Pune, Director of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Benaulim, Goa, and Member of the Diocesan Priest Council, of the Arch-diocese of Goa. After a tragic accident in the early hours of May 11, that knocked Fr. Maurice unconscious with severe head injuries, he finally succumbed to his pain on May 14, at 6.15 am. ‘Another Cheerful Angel in Heaven’ is an apt description to the person and gift that Fr. Maurice was the Salesian Family.
with the authorities and so he decided to join the Bombay Province. Having finished his earlier formation in Yercaud and his practical training in Lonavla and Matunga, he went on to complete his theological studies in Bangalore. In December 1985, he was ordained priest in his native village, Carmona, Goa.As a Salesian priest he did a year’s ministry in Kudal and then went to Sonada to complete his graduation (BA). His interest in Catechetics and his dynamic and effective way of conducting sessions, made him proficient as a catechist. He was Assistant Director at the Catechetical Centre in Pune (1987-88) and later went on to guide the Centre for a term of 6 years (1988-93). He helped develop the upcoming Catechetical Centre in Benaulim (1993-97), and was then sent back to Catechetical Centre in Pune (1997-2001). After a short stint at Sirsi as Parish Priest, Fr. Maurice was re-appointed as Director of the Catechetical Centre in Benaulim, (2003-2009), making this Centre popular and well sort after, especially in the south of Goa.
As a Salesian Fr. Maurice has held various posts: Diocesan Director of Catechetics in the Diocese of Pune, Director of Salesian Catechetical Centre, Pune, Director of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Benaulim, Goa, and Member of the Diocesan Priest Council, of the Arch-diocese of Goa. After a tragic accident in the early hours of May 11, that knocked Fr. Maurice unconscious with severe head injuries, he finally succumbed to his pain on May 14, at 6.15 am. ‘Another Cheerful Angel in Heaven’ is an apt description to the person and gift that Fr. Maurice was the Salesian Family.