Council #2917
God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.
Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.
In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.
Amen.
Let us pray:
Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed; through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace in company with Christ and may they rejoice in your Kingdom. AMEN
Brother Knight George Alfonse Janacek, was born on Sept. 29, 1925, to Cyril and Mary Janacek. He was one of 9 children, born and raised on the family farm in Schulenburg, TX. He moved to Houston where he met his wife, Roselee “Patty” Scambray. They were wed on July 5, 1953 at Assumption Catholic Church in Houston, George volunteered to join the war during World War II in April of 1944 at the age of 18. He joined the Navy where he served as a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Dennis (DE-405) in the Pacific Theater around the Philippine Islands. During his service, he received the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon (4 bronze stars), the Philippine Liberation Ribbon (2 bronze stars), and the World War II Victory Medal. For his actions during the Battle off Samar, he was also awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon (1 bronze star). Returning from the war, George returned to Schulenberg where he became a truck driver, eventually working for Herder Truck Lines of Weimar, TX for over 20 years. In 1974, he opened his own business in Houston, Hornet Campers, located on Airline Dr. George was a devout Catholic attending both Assumption Church in Houston and St. Stanislaus Church in Anderson, TX. George took his final breath on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in the home of his daughter and son-in-law. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, 7 of his siblings, and his wife, Roselee Janacek, who passed on Aug. 9, 2022. He is survived by his sister, Marcella Srubar of Pasadena, his daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Eddie Lett, 3 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Rev. Msgr. Fred O’Connor, born Dec. 29, 1928, in Houston, TX to Fred and Margaret O’Connor, died on Tuesday, Jan.17, 2023, in Houston, TX. Msgr. O’Connor was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by numerous cousins. Msgr. graduated from St. Thomas H.S. in 1945. With his desire to guide and support people, he turned down both a scholarship at Rice University and a professional baseball contract to enter the seminary. Msgr. O’Connor graduated from St. Mary Seminary in 1952 and was a priest in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for over 70 years. He served faithfully in numerous parishes in the Archdio-cese and was often moved to a parish with a great need. He served as Chaplain at the Harris County Jail and in retirement celebrated Mass for the women at the Plane State Jail in Dayton for many years.
Brother Knight Carroll J. Brownfield was born on Oct. 18, 1927 to Jesse M. and Camille Cecille (Thomas) Brownfield in Shreveport, LA. Carroll grew up in Houston and worked with his father at Johnson shipyards as a draftsman. He attended the University of Texas until returning home to help his widowed mother and sick brother. Carroll married Ruby Aline Jarrett on Feb. 18, 1950 and had 4 children: Caroline, James, John and Kathy. They made their home in Houston, where he and his wife were very active in Assumption Catholic Church. He was a 58-year member of the Knights of Columbus, participating in countless service and church pro-jects. He worked at Tenneco Gas for 47 years as a draftsman and then manager over the drafting department. His main focus was design of pumping stations in Laurel, Mississippi; Kinder, Louisiana; Mexico City and some work on off-shore rigs. Carroll passed away on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in Katy, TX at the age of 95. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Mandagelo and her husband Marc; grandchildren, Jeffery Mandagelo, Brandon Bain and his wife Traci, Tiffany Mandagelo and Lauren Foster. Carroll was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruby Aline Jarrett Brownfield; baby daughter, Caroline Brownfield; sons, James Carroll Brownfield and John Douglas Brownfield.