Looking back

50 Years Ago
William Barbour, founder of “Friends of Exceptional Children” was named Mobilian of the Year.
McGill Institute Junior Mike Crenshaw was selected a member of the 23rd Annual New World Prep Football All-American Team. Dale Halladay received honorable mention.
Dr. Andrew Henderson succeeded Dr. Hays Zieman as chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the Allen Memorial Home. Sister Marillac Clar, D.C., served as administrator.
Forty-seven freshmen students at Providence School of Nursing received caps.
A weeklong program on vocations was held at McGill Institute-Bishop Toolen High Schools. Rev. Robert Nehrig, M.M., was keynote speaker.
The U. S. Supreme Court barred most state laws against abortion in the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
Bishop John L. May was named to the Pontifical Commission for Social Communications.
Funeral services were held for former McGill Institute principal Brother Roland Smith, S.C.
Sister Leona Blubaugh, D.C., celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a Daughter of Charity. Sister served at St. Mary’s Home for 49 years.
Fr. Matthew A. Sindik was appointed pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Mount Vernon.
Fr. Frank V. O’Connor of St. Pius X Parish received the Eagle Scout Award. 
25 Years Ago
For 66 years Catholics in the Archdiocese of Mobile exceeded themselves in generosity to the Catholic Charities Appeal. In fact the Catholic Charities Appeal in the Archdiocese of Mobile is one of the most successful in the United States. “This is due to the goodness and generosity of the people of the Archdiocese” according to first year director of the appeal Fr. Paul Zoghby.
Theme of the 1998 Catholic Schools Week was “Catholic Schools-Restoring Faith in Education.”
Catholic High Basketball Players of the Week were senior boys shooting guard Jimbo Tolbert and girls junior point guard Ashlee Brereton.
The Rev. Joseph P. Doust, S.J., the Philip J. McElroy Law professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, was named to Spring Hill College’s Board of Trustees.
Hundreds of Montgomery area pro-life supporters observed the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade at the 12th annual memorial service at Greenwood Serenity Memorial Gardens. 
Mrs. Shirley Albritton was honored for her 30 years of dedicated service at McGill-Toolen High School.
The final Mass to be held in the old sanctuary of Our Savior Church was held with the founding pastor Msgr. Joseph Jennings presiding and current pastor Fr. Russell Bivens as main celebrant. After the Mass, a Service of Transfer of sacred objects to the new church building was held with more than 500 parishioners participating.
Serving as chair of the McGill-Toolen Jacket Jubilation Steering Committee was Julie Bagwell.
Thousands of pro-life supporters across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life to mark the 25 years since the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
McGill-Toolen students, Seniors Brian Walsh, Paolo Fonda, Paul Ibanez and Junior Michael Bacon, took third place at the national 3v3 soccer tournament held in Winter Haven, Fla. The team was sponsored by the generosity of Councilman Reggie Copeland. The team was called Mobile-Milan.
— Anne Baggett compiles information for Looking Back from past issues of this newspaper. Anne is a member of St. Mary Parish in Mobile.