Looking back

50 Years Ago
Bishop John L. May extended a welcome to the Presentation Sisters that came to staff Christ the King School, Daphne. 
Dr. Thomas Doyle was appointed principal of Montgomery Catholic High.
Winners of the Optimist Club’s Oratorical Contest were: John T. Lyons, first place, McGill-Toolen 10th grade; Paul D. Dountz, second place, St. Ignatius 8th grade; and George H. Gorman III third place, St. Ignatius 8th grade.
St. Joseph’s Elementary School, Phenix City, planned a new school facility.
Participants in St. Philip Neri Marian procession included: Tom Harlan, Bill Harlan and Harold Collins, altar servers; Angelica and Bridgette Boudan, banner carriers; Harry Ryan, crown bearer; and Brenda McArdle, crowner of Our Lady’s statue.
Installed as officers of St. Therese’s Altar Society of St. Bede’s Parish were: Brenda Gaulden, president; Catherine Olm, vice president; JoAnn Martinson, secretary; and Renata Wood, treasurer.
Residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor honored Fr. Bernard McKenna with a party celebrating his Silver Jubilee.
Members of the Catholic Federation celebrated their 40th Anniversary.

25 Years Ago
The 66th annual Field Day was held at the Texas Street Recreation Center. Red Division winners were: first place Little Flower School; second place St. Vincent de Paul School; and third place Holy Family School. Blue Division winners were: First place, St. Ignatius School; second place St. Dominic School; and third place St. Pius X School. More than 3,000 students participated in 140 events.
Jon Roeder, CEO of Providence Hospital installed the following officers of the Auxiliary: Dottie Netherton, president; Helen Messmer, vice president; Carmen Baker, recording secretary; Theresa Christie, treasurer; Beth Deardon, corresponding secretary; and Anna Crow, historian.
Fr. Don Wolf of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma and president of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils led the annual retreat for priests of the Archdiocese of Mobile.
A memorial to the unborn was dedicated during the Knights of Columbus State Convention held in Dothan. Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb presided at the dedication. John Reiser was state deputy of the Knights of Columbus.
The 48th annual Blessing of the Fleet was held in Bayou La Batre with Abbot Victor Clark of Cullman presiding. Nicole Wilkerson was crowned Fleet Blessing Queen and special guests were Dr. Regina Benjamin and Sister Patricia Ann, O.P.
Sister Mary Joseph of the Infant Jesus, O.P, was honored for 50 years of service as a Dominican nun. She was serving as Sub Prioress of the Dominican Monastery in Marbury. Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb presided at the Mass.
McGill-Toolen student Beth Olen was chosen Mobile County Student Athlete of the Year.
Newly elected officers of the Ladies of Charity for 1997-98 were: Josephine Bronold, president; Jane Mahoney, first vice president, Natalie Risner, second vice president; Catherine Cooney, parliamentarian; Marie Crane, auditor; Eckie Hayes, historian; Caranel Lott, corresponding secretary; Audrey Harris, recording secretary; and Elizabeth Anderson, treasurer.
— Anne Baggett compiles information for Looking Back from past issues of this newspaper. Anne is a member of St. Mary Parish in Mobile.