John Begley SJ entered the Society of Jesus in 1939 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1952.

From 1955 to 1961 Fr Begley was on the staff of St Thomas More University College, Perth, Australia.

In 1962 he was sent overseas to study for a doctorate at the Gregorian University, Rome, Italy. Since his return he has taught Philosophy to many seminarians and lay students in Melbourne.

In 1976 and 1977 he was in India, teaching English at St Xavier's College, Ranchi.

For 17 years he was on the staff of Newman College, University of Melbourne.

In 2004 Fr Begley became the Inaugural Senior Fellow of Catholic Theological College for his long and distinguished service at the college.

His work at Jesuit Theological College includes some tutoring.