Father Paul Monahan, a longtime pastor and educator, died after 66 years of priestly ministry
by Diocese of Des Moines | September 5, 2026
We have received word that Father Paul Monahan died Saturday, Sept. 5. He served faithfully as a priest over the last 66+ years! Please keep him and his family in your prayer as we commend his soul to the Lord.
Eternal rest grant unto him O’ Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest on peace. Amen.
The following is a story we printed in The Catholic Mirror in 2020 when Father Monahan celebrated his 60th anniversary of priestly ordination.
Much of Father Paul Monahan’s 60 years of priesthood was dedicated to education and parish life.
“The best times were the times that I spent with students,” he said. "I’ve talked with a lot of students regularly and I still stay in touch with many of them.”
He moved from St. Albert School to serving in parishes and enjoyed it.
“I enjoyed that new experience of being with the people and everything that’s involved in parish life,” he said.
Father Monahan was a founder of the Teens Encounter Christ program, also known as TEC.
In his spare time, the photographer has taken many pictures that bring back fond memories.
He recalls receiving honors from the Knights of Columbus, the Freddie Falcon Award for his support of St. Albert Catholic School, and his travels to Europe, South America, Hawaii, Alaska and Medjugorie.
Asked if he’d be a priest again if he could go back in time, and he said, “Yes, I would. You can underline that one!”
Father Monahan was ordained June 5, 1960 by Bishop Edward Daly. Originally from St. Mary Parish in Portsmouth, he attended Loras College, Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque and did post-graduate work at Creighton University in Omaha.
He spent nearly 20 years in education, having taught at Dowling Catholic High School and St. Albert High School, where he also served as principal. In 1979, he moved to parish ministry, serving at St. Mary in Avoca, St. Patrick in Walnut, Holy Family in Council Bluffs, St. Mary in Portsmouth and Holy Rosary in Glenwood. He retired in 2004.