Fr. Carl William Janocha

Father Carl William Janocha, known for his wit, humor and always being able to put a smile on the face of those he served, died Feb. 3. He was 78. 

The vigil was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at Saint John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon. The Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. Burial will be at a later date near family in his home state of New York. 

Father Janocha was born in Long Island City in New York on Sept. 19, 1947, the son of Jacek J. Janocha and Julia Frances (Smith) Janocha, who both preceded him in death, as did his brother John J. Janocha. He is survived by John’s wife, Ann (O’Grady) Janocha and their children John, Michele, Martin, Nicholas and Christina, as well as nine great nieces and nephews.

In 1973, Father Janocha received his Associate of Arts from Saint John’s University in Jamaica, New York. He received a Bachelor of Liberal Studies from the University of Oklahoma in 1987. 

From 1985 to 1991, he attended Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, where he received his Master of Divinity. 

Father Janocha was ordained on June 1, 1991, by Bishop Charles A. Salatka at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. 

He served as associate pastor at Saint John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon, Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman and Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond. 

He served as pastor at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Watonga, and its missions – Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Hitchcock and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Loyal; Saint Helen Catholic Church in Frederick, and its missions – Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tipton, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Grandfield, Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Walters and Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Waurika; Saint Mary Catholic Church in Clinton, and its mission – Saint Ann Catholic Church in Cordell; Saint Matthew Catholic Church in Elk City, and its mission – Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Sayre; Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Medford, and its missions – Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pond Creek and Saint Mary Assumption Catholic Church in Wakita; and Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Anadarko, and its missions – Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Binger and Saint Richard Catholic Church in Carnegie. 

Father Janocha spent time as administrator for Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Jones and Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Luther. 

During his service in the archdiocese, he was also a regional vicar and chaplain for Mercy Hospital and for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp. Father Janocha was well loved by campers and staff for his dedication and service as chaplain at both the Catholic camp at Lake Murray State Park, and later as the founding chaplain when Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp opened. 

He loved to travel, often with the late Father Roberto Quant, and the two traveled to many pilgrimage sites in Europe. After Father Quant’s passing, Father Janocha joined Father Danny Grover for several pilgrimages, their last in 2024, which was spent with many friends and former parishioners. 

Father Janocha served on the Peace and Justice Commission, sat on the advisory board for Las Casas Dominican Mission, and served as spiritual director for the Secular Franciscan Order and the Saint Francis of Assisi Fraternity in Oklahoma City. 

In lieu of flowers, Father Janocha requested that donations be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp. Visit cfook.org/father-janocha to make a donation.

Archbishop Coakley celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Carl Janocha on Feb. 9 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. The vigil service was held on Feb. 8 at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon. Photos Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic.