Rev John Doenau SJ
Title:
Rev
First Name:
John
Middle Names:
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Doenau
Order:
SJ
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Melbourne VIC
Country of Birth:
Australia
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Melbourne VIC
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Melbourne VIC
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Biographical Notes
Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Doenau, John
Philosopher, social worker, spiritual director, counsellor; born Melbourne, 2 June 1929; died Melbourne, 25 September 2017, aged 88.
John Henry Doenau was educated by the Christian Brothers, first at CBC St Kilda, and then at St Kevin's, Toorak. He entered the noviciate at Loyola College, Watsonia, 1 February 1947, where he also studied philosophy, 1950-1952, and completed a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in philosophy at The University of Melbourne, 1953-56. Regency was at Xavier College, Kew, 1957-59, where he taught middle school religion, English and history. Theology studies followed at Canisius College, Pymble, 1960-63. Awaiting tertianship, he taught religion and Latin at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne, 1964-65.
Upon completing tertianship in Illinois, USA, 1965-66, he was assigned to teaching natural philosophy, scripture, and the history of philosophy at the Holy Name Seminary, NZ, 1966-68.
After a year at Newman College, Melbourne, as college chaplain, Doenau undertook studies for the diploma of social studies at The University of Melbourne, 1970-71, and then worked with the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau in Melbourne while living at the Jesuit Theological College. More post graduate studies followed in Canberra, studying for a Master of Arts in applied clinical psychology, 1975, submitting a thesis on Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction in Marriage. This led him to marriage guidance with the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau in Melbourne and Brisbane until 1985.
From 1986-1995 he was assigned to the spirituality centre and noviciate at Canisius College, Pymble, where he also continued with his marriage apostolate. This ministry of spirituality and marriage guidance continued, 1997-2017 at Campion College, Kew. Here he was a member of the spirituality ministry and valued as a spiritual guide. In 2007-8 he generously responded to a request to be a spiritual guide at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila.
Doenau was experienced as outstandingly kind and considerate, 'an unselfish man with a large heart', caring and kind, tuned to the needs of others, a fine companion with a lively sense of humour. Empathetic, always a good listener and patient. He was active co-presenting weekend retreats until only a few weeks before his death.
(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)