Looking back

50 Years Ago
Mobile Right to Life sponsored an exhibit and film showing at the Women’s World Expo at Mobile Municipal Auditorium.
Leonard N. Williams, a St. Jude High School senior, was named a National Merit semifinalist.
Rev. Joseph P. Toomey, vicar general of the Montgomery Deanery, was named clerical chairman of the 38th Annual DCCW Convention.
McGill-Toolen High School won its first homecoming game defeating Davidson 27-12. Queen of the festivities was Moire Zieman, escorted by Kelly Tucker. Other court members were: Kay Stanky, Kathryn Zoghby, Sherry Moody, Ursel Forbes, Janice Donaghey, Jeanelle Dupre, Kimberly Shell and Dianne Blums.
Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen celebrated the 63rd anniversary of his ordination.
The National Association of the Holy Name Society presented the Best Diocesan Union Award to Mobile Holy Name Union President William R. Dolan at the National Convention.
Marielle Smiley was crowned Miss St. Jude by John Harris, president of St. Jude High Student Council.
Sr. Josepha McNutt, M.S.B.T., joined the campus ministry team at Auburn University.
Riverfront Follies starring Calvin Clay, Bob Belmany, Joe Spotswood, John L. Devery, Bernie Nee del, Lee  McKee, Ronnie Hoffman, Elaine Pierce, Shirley McKee, Wilbur Pillman and a 25-member chorus of the American Business Women’s Association, was presented as a benefit for the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Newly elected members of St. Columba Parish Council, Dothan, were Pat Bradshaw, Mrs. Alma Colvin and Dennis Shumaker.
25 Years
A native of Mobile, Fr. Ernest Patrick, died in Pensacola, Fla. He was ordained on October 5, 1946, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile by Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen. 
Sacred Heart Residence of the Little Sisters of the Poor held their 27th annual Lawn Party.
The Rt. Rev. Hilary Bernard Dreaper, O.S.B., VII Abbot of St. Bernard Abbey, Cullman, died Sept. 18, 1998, after a lengthy illness. 
More than 60 Montgomery area Priests, Sisters and Permanent Deacons were honored by the Montgomery Knights of Columbus Council 893 at their annual Clergy and Religious Appreciation Dinner held at the Gunter Air Force Base Annex NCO Club.  
St. Mary School kicked off the 1998-99 Campaign for Excellence with a breakfast and blessing of the new playground and equipment by Associate Pastor Fr. Paul Zoghby. The new playground and equipment were made possible through proceeds from the Annual Fund Drive where more than $30,000 was raised.
Nicholas Walley, a senior at Montgomery Catholic High School and member of Scout Troop 223, earned the rank of Eagle Scout. His final service project was to build a wheel chair ramp for a homebound woman.
— Anne Baggett compiles information for Looking Back from past issues of this newspaper. Anne is a member of St. Mary Parish in Mobile.