Looking back by Anne Baggett

50 Years Ago
Judy Johnson was named Providence School of Nursing’s candidate for Miss Alabama Association of Student Nurses.
Diocesan Pastoral Planners met in Montgomery favoring Diocesan and Pastoral parish structures following Vatican II guidelines for the parishes in the Mobile Diocese.
Renovations for the former St. Martin de Porres Hospital’s conversion to the future Allen Memorial Home were presented by Bishop John L. May, Sister Marillac, D.C., John Hackmeyer and Mrs. Patrick Kilcullen.
Sister Mary Alta Balthrop, R.S.M., was named principal of the consolidated McGill-Toolen High School.
Queen of Mercy City Championship 9-year-old basketball team members coached by Joe McCorkle were: Karl Weiner, Joe Malus, Mike Hardin, Jim Bishop, Bill Logan, Mike Culp, Jeff Marsh, Pat O’Riley, Mike Ross, John Burke, Mike Bishop, Peter Scann, Mark Evans and Paul Franklin.
Mrs. Hays Zieman served as chairman of the Annual Ladies of Charity Shamrock sale with Mrs. Tom Bailey, co-chairman.
Officers of St. Bartholomew’s Altar Society were: Mrs. Lawrence Krauss, president; Mrs. Adam Frank, vice president; Mrs. John Engleman, secretary; Mrs. Charles Hagendorfer, treasurer; and Mrs. John Vargo, Sunshine girl.
St. Jude Pirates ended their season with a 17-5 record.
Our Lady of Lourdes built a new convent for the Sisters.
Rt. Rev. Hilary Dreaper, O.S.B., was principal speaker at the 20th annual Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Celebration. Thomas Karcher presided. 

25 Years Ago
Catholic Social Services of Baldwin County held its fourth annual Valentine Banquet honoring 15 recipients nominated by their parish for their generous time and talent given to their community. Honorees were: Maxine Perry, Odile Gillis, Christine Williams, Loretta Tucker, Barbara Blugert, Nellie Dale, Shirley Mooney, Elizabeth Styron, Barbara Carter, Pat Walsh, Evelyn Mims, Yvonne Denton, Stan Weise, Patrick Yarbrough and Celeste Waite.
McGill-Toolen High School honored special volunteers at the annual Hot Diggity Dog Luncheon. Honorees presented by school president, Rev. W. Bry Shields, were: Gavin Bender, Board Volunteer of the Year; Lynn Clapper and Debbie Grosse, Parent Volunteers of the Year; Susan Kurzwig, Special Volunteer Award; and Hodges Harty, Alumnus Volunteer of the Year.
Fr. Howard Monesder, O.S.B., pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, Elberta, blessed the ground prior to groundbreaking ceremonies for a parish hall and administrative offices and auditorium. Charles Peterson was Building Committee Chairman.
Msgr. George C. Royer celebrated his 70th anniversary of Ordination to priesthood with Mass at the Cathedral- Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Msgr. Royer greeted well-wishers on the portico following Mass. He was residing at the Sacred Heart Residence of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick hosted the 45th annual celebration in Mobile with Mass at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception followed by the parade led by Grand Marshall Joe Baker. Buck Curren served as president.
Natalie Risner was chairman of the Ladies of Charity Shamrock Appeal and Josephine Bronald served as president of the 86th annual event with proceeds going to the Catholic Social Services Center.
The Father Walter Memorial Center for disabled children, a program of Resurrection Catholic Missions, held a ribbon cutting/open house marking the completion of its new wing. Guest speaker was Melvin Cooper, former director of the Alabama State Ethics Commission and Fr. Manuel Williams, C.R., mission director, served as host.
 — Anne Baggett compiles information for Looking Back from past issues of this newspaper. Anne is a member of St. Mary Parish in Mobile.