Photo and News Ministry Putting a Spotlight on Our Parish’s Activities

When Bob Bowerman retired 29 years ago, he found an avocation that has become a true vocation for him. He is the coordinator of Our Lady of Lourdes’ Photo and News Ministry, which helps keep us informed of activities throughout our parish, as well as the diocese.

Bob’s primary activity is producing the weekly Our Lady of Lourdes News on Flocknote.

“It has grown from 125 recipients to 1,200,” Bob says. “It has on average 800 ‘openings’ each week that is considered the ‘gold standard’ for a number of viewings. In it, I publish between 10 to 25 photos each week, and a lot of our parishioners contribute. Items come from our school and different ministry leaders. I edit it and publish it, sending it out. In addition, for the past 10 years, we have provided photo support for the different Our Lady of Lourdes ministries.”

If this work hasn’t been enough to keep anyone else busy, Bob also provides photos for the parish directory, our website, and the weekly bulletins, as well as to Catholic Stewardship Consultants.

The ministry also provides service beyond our parish.

“I’ve been providing photos for the North Carolina Right to Life Prayer Breakfast for Life for the past eight years,” Bob says. “The breakfast involves about 100 photos. The event is a big production, drawing between 400 to 600. I’ve also created videos and DVDs for it.”

For the past 12 years, Bob also has been photographing the Ignited by Truth Catholic Conferences, slated this year for April 28-29 at the North Carolina State University’s Reynolds Coliseum. Bob also provides video and DVDs for the Run for Life sponsored by the diocese. It was held this year on March 18 at the WakeMed Soccer Park with proceeds going to BirthChoice here in Raleigh.

This ministry also makes sure our parish concerts — especially the Christmas concerts — are recorded on video and DVDs. He conducts and publishes interviews that are testimonials for our Adoration Chapel. The ministry also produces leadership training videos for the diocese.

After a lightning strike brought down our video streaming system for eight months, Bob worked to restore it.

If one is tempted to imagine Bob carrying a huge package of equipment, he eases that notion.

“Ninety percent is a good iPhone,” he says.

He has used a high-end Nikon camera, as well as a professional-level Sony Camcorder.

As one may expect, living in stewardship is the foundation for Bob’s work.

“The ‘why’ of what I do is an unspoken message,” Bob says. “There’s a lot of people in activities in the parish, and my message is, ‘Would you like to be one of them, create a community, and invite people to it, encourage it?’ That’s the basis of stewardship, what stewardship is all about.”

Bob credits his wife, Teri, with providing him the support he values to do his work.

“She previously headed up the Stewardship Council,” Bob says. “She has built up the ministries at Our Lady of Lourdes from 20 to 80 ministries.”

Bob Bowerman welcomes photo submissions from throughout theparish — they can be emailed to at bob.bowerman@gmail.com.