Looking back

50 Years Ago
Holcombe Pryor, McGill-Toolen band director and national president of the National Catholic Bandmasters Association, presided over the annual convention at St. Catherine College in St. Paul, Minn.
More than 18,000 people viewed the 23rd Annual Fleet Blessing in Bayou La Batre. Members of the Court were Annette Collier, Gayle Swann, Vickie Rogers, Rita Cain, Arlene Raley and Debra DuBrock.
Fr. Thomas Weise was appointed chaplain of Knights of Columbus Council 666.
Fr. Christopher McGrath was honored with an appreciation dinner for his service to the people of Grove Hill, Jackson and the Washington County areas.
Project Opportunity held its eighth summer program. About 24 students participated at Spring Hill College.
Ann Massey, a 1972 St. Jude High graduate, was awarded a four-year Nursing scholarship by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing.
Chris Hyde, Steven White, Joe Garcia and Patrick O’Dell of St. John’s Parish, Ozark, were presented the Parvuli Dei Award by Fr. Peter J. Cunningham.
"The Catholic Week" noted that Catholic adoption agencies had a decrease in the number of babies available for adoption and an increase in applications.
25 Years Ago
Leonard Mrotek was chosen as the premiere recipient of the new “Distinguished Service Award” at the Catholic High PTO Academic Awards Banquet for an adult volunteer.
Fr. David Cray, S.S.E., was honored for his distinguished service as a member of the Selma Youth Development Center’s Board of Directors. He was serving in Selma at the Edmundite Missions.
The Bishop Toolen High Class of 1947 held its 50th Class reunion with weeklong activities at Dauphin Island. A memorial Mass was celebrated by Fr. Pat Madden at St. Margaret Church, Bayou La Batre for deceased members of the class.
Fr. John R. LaBrake, S.S.E., celebrated 40 years of priesthood. He was serving as pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish in Belle Fontaine.
Spring Hill College celebrated its 30 year Upward Bound Program with a reunion. The college has assisted more than 2,500 students from Mobile County in obtaining acceptance into college.
The McGill-Toolen Lady Jackets golf team captured its fourth consecutive state championship. Coached by Tom Buhring, team members were Captain Katie Abreo, Kelly Spinucci, Amy Ankerson, Leigh Buhring, Kathryn Dudley, Nicole Emanuel, Brandi Mayhall, Tiffany Gnau, Jill Lomax, Brandy Ghioto, April Watson and Melissa Fairley.
William R. Seifert II of St. Ignatius Parish was named a National Catholic Education Association Distinguished Alumni.
After more than a century of service, the Sisters of Loretto announced the closing of their Montgomery Convent due to declining membership and change in the mission focus of the order. 
Fr. Manuel Williams, C.R., Director of Resurrection Catholic Missions in Montgomery, was recognized as a Distinguished Black Exemplar by the University of Notre Dame’s Black Alumni Association.
Winston Ford, Montgomery Catholic High senior, was selected as the Alabama District Computer Analyst following his participation in the State Key Club Convention.
— Anne Baggett compiles information for Looking Back from past issues of this newspaper. Anne is a member of St. Mary Parish in Mobile.