Fr Denis W. Martin, Priests of 1928, Brisbane, 2003, pp 211-213:
John McMonagle

John McMonagle was better known as James, perhaps because his father was John. Biographical details excepted, very little is known about him.

Born in Brisbane in 1894, John went to St James's School then was sent to Ireland for his priesthood studies - to Mt Melleray and All Hallows where he was ordained in 1924.

Fr McMonagle was at Goondiwindi 1925-26, Ipswich 1927-29, and Coorparoo from 1930 to 1933. In 1934 he was made Parish Priest of Caboolture. He was remembered as 'a tall, serious, bespectacled man'. His curate was Fr Moynahan and he and Fr McMonagle lived in a presbytery opposite the Post Office. 'Both men had nice black cars, a necessity in their occupation, but two cars to one house was an uncommon sight in those days.'

In 1939, Fr John bought two acres of land more central to the town and in the following year had Archbishop Duhig up to bless and open the new St Peter's Church.

Soon after that, John's health which was never good, failed. He was relieved of the parish and admitted to the Mater Hospital where he died on 5th March 1943.

In the absence of Archbishop Duhig, Mons. English preached the 'eloquent panegyric' which provides a few insights into his personality: 'He was never guilty of word or action that was consciously unkind. He went his own quiet and unobtrusive way doing the work allotted to him in the years of health and strength, and carrying on with a splendid patience and resignation, when a prolonged illness impaired his activity and shadowed the cheerful personality we knew so well.

'Those of us who knew him in college years recall today the good nature and genial disposition and the sincere humility which won for him the love and respect of staff and students. His brother priests admired in him a genial confrere and an unobtrusive but sterling friend, and the people he served were attracted by his amiable character and his constant attention to their needs.

'If indifferent health in recent years removed Fr McMonagle from more active association with his fellow priests, his patience under trial only enhanced the consoling memory he leaves his many friends.'

Fr John McMonagle was buried at Nudgee. He was aged 48 and had been ordained 19 years.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Martin.)

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Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev John (James) McMonagle, died 5 Mar 1943

James McMonagle was born in Brisbane in 1894 and attended St James School then was sent to Mt Melleray and All Hallows where he was ordained in 1924. Served in Goondiwindi 1925-26, and at Ipswich 1929/30 (Ref. Pugh's and Coorparoo from 1930 to 1933. In 1934 he was made Parish Priest of Caboolture. He was remembered as a 'tall, serious, bespectacled man'. In 1939, Fr john bought two acres of land more central to the town of Caboolture and in the following year had Archbishop Duhig up to bless and open the new St Peter's Church. Soon after that, John's health which was never good, failed. He was relieved of the parish and admitted to the Mater Hospital where he died on 5th March 1943. In the absence of Archbishop Duhig, Monsignor John English preached an eloquent panegyric which provides a few insights into his personality. 'He was never guilty of word or action that was consciously unkind. He went his own quiet unobtrusive way doing the work allotted to him in the years of health and strength, and carrying on with a splendid patience and resignation, when a prolonged illness impaired his activity and shadowed the cheerful personality we knew so well' Fr John was buried at Nudgee Cemetery aged 48 and in the 19th year of his priesthood.
(Ref. Priests of 1928, Fr Denis W Martin, Brisbane, 2003)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.