Looking Back

By Anne Baggett
For  The Catholic Week         
50 Years Ago
Eight members of the McGill-Toolen Brass Choir performed at Loyola University at the National Bandmasters’ Association Convention. Students were Paul Schooley, Michael Breland, Mary Jo Sinchak, Mindy Jones, Michael Mathers, Pat Reeves, Mike Overly and Frank Alexander.
 Greg Walker of Troop Four, St.  Bede’s, was named outstanding scout.
Ninety-five children attended summer vacation school at St. Francis Xavier Church with Fr. Kenneth Klepac and several parish volunteers.
Spring Hill College graduates named to the 1971 Edition of “Outstanding Young Men of America” were: Capt. Larry C. Arcement, Marion D. Dawson, James B. Higgins, Dr. Richard A. Finch, Robert E. Kerrigan, Jr., Dr. John N. McAtee, Warren J. Yemm, Frederick G. Helmsing, Edward A. Hyndman, Richard B. Earp and Frank J. Lugo.
 Holcombe Pryor, director of the McGill-Toolen Band, was elected president of the National Catholic Bandmasters Association.
 About 60 children attended summer religion classes at St. John Parish, Ozark. Rev. Peter Cunningham served as pastor.
Camp Cullen counselors completing Senior Life Saving and Water Safety Aid training were: Frances Spikes, Patsy Spikes, Mary Ann Spikes, Ethel Kern, Rev. Mr. Adrian Cook and Bud Waldman.
Steve Schroll, a 1975 Catholic High graduate, signed a basketball scholarship with George C. Wallace Junior College.
Mobile folk group “The Citizens,” performed at Notre Dame. Members of the group were: Connor Burke, Gerald Vrazel, Allen Reimer and Bill Vrazel.
Parish Council officers of Holy Family Parish were: Steve Johnson, president; and Carolyn Dolan, vice president.

25 Years Ago
Sister Frances Buetenbach, a Sister of Loretta, also known as Sr. Joanna, died in Denver. Sister taught Latin and Music and was in charge of the Glee Club at Bishop Toolen High from 1962-1972.
 Seminarians studying for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Mobile gathered for their annual summer outing with the Serrans at Gulf Shores.
Sister Susan Hebert, RSM, made her final profession of vows as a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Regional Community of Baltimore at the ceremony at Christ the King Church. Rev. Msgr. William R. James was the principal celebrant.
 The chairman of the parish council of St. Edmund-by-the-Sea, Coleman Davidson, presented pastor Rev. David McGuiness, a new chalice from the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, Archbishop T. J. Toolen Assembly in memory of deceased members.
The Curiosity Shop of Catholic Social Services held its “grand re-opening." The shop was opened by Sister Romana Statz, CSA, in 1988. All proceeds went to Catholic Charities to buy medicine and supplies for those need.
Julie McGee, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, was named the new director of the Area Agency on Aging of the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission.
Dr. Paul Jurgensen of Savannah, Ga., was honored by his alma mater, Spring Hill College, with the highest community award given by the Jesuit college, the Ignatian Award. Jurgensen was recognized for his strong advocacy on behalf of AIDS awareness.
Anna B. Crow, former editor of "The Catholic Week," was presented the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” medal translated “For the Church and the Pope” by Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb “for her many years of unflagging devotion and service.” The medal was presented at a Mass celebrating her 50 years of marriage to husband Kenny Crow with four generations of their family gathered at the archbishop’s residence.