February 2021

50 Years Ago
Rev. Russell Biven and Dr. John Slaughter were featured speakers at the Family Life Conference.
The St. Jude Pirates basketball team, led by Robert Crittenden, Richard Walker and Charlie Williams, defeated the Calhoun County Tigers 77-59.
Queen of Mercy Cub Master was Ron Sullivan assisted by Everett Luke, Jim Strickland, Martha Luke, Ginger Dixon and Jim Dorsch. Hunter Bates was Webelos leader.
The McGill junior varsity, led by Charlie Roberts, defeated the Shaw Rebels 55-43.
Winners of the Catholic High Spirit Award were Allan Stroh and Brigid Reikenback.
Miss Gold winner for Catholic High was Cardini Murngenast and Mr. Blue was Joe Grosse.
Sister Mary Francesca, RSM, celebrated here 100th birthday at Villa Mercy.
 William J. Hamm served as chairman of adult education classes at St. Elizabeth Parish, Selma.
The Rev. Orie L. Abell, S.J., treasurer of Spring Hill College, died.
 Elected officers of the Cathedral Choir were: Dwayne Scott, director; Carol Carrigan, secretary; Eleanor Sawyer, treasurer; Kathy Dendry, librarian; Ed Bail, assistant librarian; Peter Whelan, entertainment; Mary Catherine Allen, telephone; and Jerry Godden, publicity/membership.
Representing St. Jude at the ninth invitational Mathematics Tournament at Samford University was the team of Regina Driskell, Walter Jones, Madelyn Montgomery and Irving Wheder.
25 Years Ago
The Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Missions (Vincentians) announced changes for restructuring their ministries in East Central Alabama. The changes involved parish communities in both the Archdiocese of Mobile and in the Diocese of Birmingham. The Vincentians made a commitment to combine their mission in Alabama both to pastor parishes and to evangelize the economically poor throughout the region.
Alabama Citizens for Life elected the following officers: W. A. Klein, Mobile, president; Gail McInnish, Monroeville, vice president; Ed Clark, Montgomery, treasurer; and Julie McLaurine, Tuscaloosa, secretary.
Winner of the 33rd annual Spelling Bee for Mobile Area Catholic Schools was Emily Cone of St. Mary School.
McGill-Toolen student Andrea Tornton was chosen to participate in the 1996 Alabama All-State Band.
The J. L. Bedsole Foundation Scholars Program awarded 21 Spring Hill College students scholarships totaling $98,300. This was the most funding dispensed to the 18 colleges and universities assisted by the foundation.
In the Pepsi-Trane Indoor Track Classic in Decatur, McGill-Toolen’s Shawn Griffin placed 3rd in the varsity boys 3,200 meter run and Catherine Baggett place 5th in the freshman girls 1,600 meter run.
At the request of Fr. Robert Kearns, SSJ, the Superior General, the society announced the withdrawal of the Josephite community from St. John the Baptist Parish, Montgomery. Fr. Francis Butler, SSJ, was serving as pastor.
—Anne Baggett compiles information for Looking Back from past issues of this newspaper. Anne is a member of St. Mary Parish in Mobile.