Pune – MSFS

Pune
Province

Provincial Superior

Fr. Johnson Gonsalves

Fr. Johnson Gonsalves, MSFS, was born on 22 January 1968 at Merces, Vasai West, Maharashtra, to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas and Martina. He is the youngest child among the 8 children (5 brothers and 3 sisters). His parish of Baptism is “Our Lady of Mercy, Merces”, Vasai, West, on 4 February, 1968. His diocese of origin; the Archdiocese of Bombay, from 1998 in the diocese of Vasai as it was bifurcated. His mother tongue is Marathi. Schooling: He studied his primary education in De Lima Primary School, Merces, Vasai, West. He completed his SSLC in the year 1985 at St. Thomas High School, Detalav, Sandor, Vasai, West, and completed his PUC in the year 1989 at St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary, Mapusa, North Goa. He completed his graduation degree (B. A) in the year 1992 at SFS Collage, Seminary Hill, Nagpur.

He did his philosophical studies in St. Charles Seminary, Seminary Hill, Nagpur, in 1992 and his theology studies in JDV, Ramwadi, Pune, in 1997. Specialization: He is specialized in B.A- 1999,B.Ed. in the year 2000 at NIE, Panjim, from Goa University, and also M.A. in History in the year 2006 at Mumbai University, Maharashtra. Seminary Life: In the year 1985, he joined the SFS minor seminary at Bastora, Goa. He did his Novitiate in Fransalian Ashram, Belgaum, and received his first profession on 31 May 1993. He was perpetually professed at Fransalian Seminary, Pune. He did his diaconate ministry in Kalambist in the years 1997-98. He was ordained a priest onMay 3, 1998, at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Merces, Vasai, West.

Appointment and Transfers:
Minister and B.Ed studies 1998-2000
Gangapur City (Pioneer) Assistant Parish Priest 2000-2001
Kakkeri, Parish Priest and Superior 2001-2002
Kurla, Principal and Assistant Parish Priest 2002-2008

Kadgaon-Gauthan, Superior, Parish Priest and Principal 2008-2009
Aldona, Superior, headmaster of St. Thomas Boys School and Manager of HigherSecondary School 2009-2013
Nalasopara East and West, Superior, Principal, and Assistant Parish Priest 2013-2015
Kurla: Manager of St. Joseph’s School, Kurla 2013-14
Pune, Rector and Superior of Fransalian Seminary 2015- 2020
Manager of SFS School, Shaanwadi, Pune 2016-2019
Belgaum, Superior, Director of Harmony and School Project in charge (manager), 2020-2022
Hyderabad, Director of DSM Centre and Administrator of Generalate community, 2022-2023.

Provincial: from 10 August, 2023, he took charge as the Fifth Provincial of MSFS
Pune Province.

Provincial Curia

Fr Ramesh George

Provincial Councillor for Formation and Admonitor

Fr Austin Joy

Provincial councilor in-charge of Mission

Fr Roxy Fernandes

Provincial councilor in-charge of SAIM

Fr Daniel Pareste

Provincial councilor in-charge of Education

Fr Tony Premanand

Provincial Bursar

Province History

The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales arrived in India in 1845. In the beginning Visakhapatnam mission was the only region. In 1888, Visakhapatnam mission was divided and the two dioceses of Visakhapatnam and Nagpur were established. Then each diocese became a separate region of the MSFS with its own regional superior. At the General Chapter of 1965, the region of Nagpur was raised to a Province. It assumed the name, ‘Maharashtra-Goa Province’.

Pune Province was constituted on 10th August 1996. The expanding Maharashtra-Goa Province was bifurcated into the Pune and Nagpur Province to enhance growth in personnel and apostolic effectiveness. Pune Province juridical comes in the Dioceses of Belgaum,

Archdiocese of Goa and Dadra Nagar Haveli, Poona, Archdiocese of Bombay, Rajasthan and Ajmer, Jaipur, Salem, Sindhudurg, and Vasai. This Province which launched out with forty-eight priests, two brothers and a few scholastics and candidates, today has 121 priests, three brothers, 28 scholastics and around 39 fresh candidates

On 10th August 1996, Fr. Jerson D’Souza assumed office as the First Provincial of Pune Province. Under his leadership for 9 years, the Province consolidated the existing missions and ventured into diversified ministries including overseas missions. Receiving the baton, Fr. Mario D’Souza was the second Provincial Superior from 10th August 2005. While consolidation of existing centres continued, Fr. Mario D’souza concentrated on specializing members in different fields. He had also initiated the mission in Gujarat and our long awaited mission dream of Africa. Fr. Mario handed on the baton to Fr. Vincent Lourduswamy on 10th August 2011 who faithfully continues the mission of God entrusted to the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales of Pune Province. He initiated mission in Africa, Zambia as well as in Dadra Nagar and Haveli, Silvassa. Fr. Vincent handed on the baton to Fr. Jayaseelan on 10th August 2017 who continued the mission of God and extended the mission to Peru, Spain, and Ecuador. Fr. Jayaseelan handed on the baton to Fr. Johnson Gonsalves on 10th August 2023 who is continuing the mission of God entrusted to the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sale, Pune Province till date..

Statistical Data of the Province

Ordained Priests: 118

Perpetually Professed: 08

Temporarily Professed: 23

Novices : 23

Aspirants : 40

Mission Houses: 34

Priests: 19

Schools:16

Formation Houses: 01