Meet Bob And Teri Bowerman: Embracing Faithful Service And Parish Life

Stepping forward to get involved in a ministry can be nerve-racking. You may think you are taking on a permanent assignment — but that doesn’t have to be the case. Over the 50-plus years that Bob and Teri Bowerman have been members at Our Lady of Lourdes, they’ve been involved in many different ministries. They believe that’s just how it should be. God will guide each person to where they can use their gifts to serve when it’s time.

“Everybody has a gift,” Bob says. “Other people (in your life) can help you find them.”

Bob and Teri are blessed with seven children and 15 grandchildren. When their children were young, Bob and Teri had a busy home. But they still made it a priority to be involved at Our Lady of Lourdes.

“You have to make the time,” Bob says. “It doesn’t have to be a lot of time. At different parts of life, you have more or less time.”

Currently, Bob is managing the weekly parish newsletter, which is sent to about 700 email addresses. He takes photos and videos at many parish events to be shared in the newsletter. He also used his strength in planning, along with Nancy Pekarek, to orchestrate the five-year plan process. Having spent his career in strategic planning, this work played to Bob’s talents.

“I am very excited about the future of Lourdes and where we are going,” Bob says.

In turn, Bob appreciates all those who helped with the five-year planning process. Parishioners really came together to plan the future for Our Lady of Lourdes. As part of this process, a focus was placed on becoming an even more welcoming parish community. Teri is very active in this work.

“We want to make sure everyone feels welcome when they come in,” Bob says. “We want to enhance that experience for them.”

Bob and Teri were very involved in Marriage Encounter for many years after having a profound experience on the weekend they attended.

“That weekend was a turning point in energizing my faith,” he says. “It really led me to experience the joy of being in a ministry.”

As he strives to live out the faith each day, Bob reflects on James 2:17 — “faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” He encourages others to get involved in a ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes. He knows how much it has enriched his and Teri’s lives.

“If you say you are too busy, you are missing out on a big part of life,” Bob says. “Ministry is what we are supposed to do throughout our lives. Jesus commanded us to serve others. He didn’t say to do it if it’s convenient.”

The Bowermans love Our Lady of Lourdes. They will do what it takes to ensure this parish thrives far into the future.

“We love Lourdes,” Bob says. “We love being here.”

Bob and Teri Bowerman