Looking back

50 Years Ago
The 69th annual State Knights of Columbus Convention was held in Mobile. Peter Whelan, Chancellor, Knights of Columbus, Council 3565, was named Knight of the Year. 
Bishop John L. May presided at the Catholic Scout Rally at the Cathedral.
St. Jude High School held its annual athletic banquet with Fr. David Wanst serving as Master of Ceremonies.
Leading the McGill Senior Prom was class president Butch Turner escorting Ginger Crow.
Winning first place in the St. Jude Oratorical contest was Felicia Alexander.
Catholic High, Montgomery, held its 97th Commencement. Rev. Matthew Sindik, principal, presented the 40 graduates.
Fr. Laurence A. Boucher, S.S.F., former pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish, died at Providence Hospital.
Most Rev. John L. May conferred diplomas on 56 graduates of St. Jude High School.
New members of Catholic High School Board were Mr. Donald J. Deiters, Mr. Peter B. Mastin, Mr. Michael McGinn and Mrs. Kitty Reickenback.    Alabama Physical Fitness Award winners at Our Lady Queen of Mercy were Pam Freed, Karen McCarthy, Jean McCarthy, Laura Hitson, Sandra Pierson and Mary Roemer.
Newly elected officers of St. Joan of Arc PTA were: Mrs. W. R. Murphy, president; Michael A. Adams, vice president; Mrs. Louise Boyer, secretary; and Guillermo Boulton, treasurer.

25 Years Ago
The Montgomery Serrans elected the following officers: Larry Russo, president; Ed Clark, vice president of programs; Beth Russo, vice president of vocations: Maura Culberson, vice president of membership; Jim Baker, secretary; Ray Niland, treasurer; Rev. Mr. Charles Gulley, trustee; Luke Lea, trustee; Pat Adams, trustee and Fr. Patrick Maher, chaplain.
Allen Memorial Home conducted the Mother’s Day-Father’s Day Appeal.
Senior Class officers of McGill-Toolen for 1997-98 were: Gentry Hanks, president; Chris Flanagan, vice president; Kristin Geers, secretary; and John Calagaz, treasurer. Junior Class Officers were: James Perrien, president; Steve Goula, vice president; Gia Kimbrough, secretary; and Joe Gonzales, treasurer. Sophomore Class officers were; Jack Johnson, president; Laura Cunningham, vice president; Alicia Boykin, secretary; and Ryder Copeland, treasurer. Forty-six students were inducted into the National Honor Society.
Fr. Cecil R. Spotswood was ordained a priest by Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb to serve the Archdiocese of Mobile.
Fr. William P. Folsom was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Montgomery.
Receiving honorary degrees at Spring Hill College graduation ceremonies from President William Rewak, S.J., were Colman McCarthy, Harper Lee and Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb.
Msgr. Maurice L. Shields, Pastor Emeritus of Little Flower Parish, Mobile, celebrated 40 years of priestly service.
Sigma Chi Fraternity  at USA, presented proceeds of Derby Week to help with the care of the children at St. Mary’s Home. The check for $5,607 was presented by Fraternity Derby Chairman Chuck Eveler to Andy Wynne, director of St. Mary’s Home.
Christ the King Parish, Daphne, commemorated “100 Years of Grace” with celebration at the parish. Msgr. Timothy Deasy served as Pastor and was celebrant of the Mass with Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb presiding. 
— Anne Baggett compiles information for Looking Back from past issues of this newspaper. Anne is a member of St. Mary Parish in Mobile.