'Catholic Courses' home to state-of-the-art production studio

BELMONT — Conor Gallagher never imagined he would take his family's 74-year-old Catholic publishing business into 21st-century video production when he assumed the role of vice president of publishing for Saint Benedict Press three years ago. His grandfather, Bud Gallagher, started selling Bibles door to door in 1938. His father, Bob Gallagher, has continued growing the family publishing business over the past three decades as chairman and CEO.

The latest generation of the Gallagher family has overseen the development of video courses that complement their Catholic book publishing. Their new venture, Catholic Courses, launched in December and features world-renowned professors exploring the riches of the Catholic intellectual tradition. The video lectures, filmed with two high-definition cameras on a custom-built set, are supplemented with visual aids, special effects and lecture guides.

"Part of my father's vision for growing the business has been adapting to changes in the marketplace while remaining faithful to our mission of publishing products you can trust with your faith," Gallagher said. "We continue to offer faithful Catholic products – we're just finding new and improved ways of presenting the material."

Pictured above: Saint Benedict Press welcomed Father Alfred McBride Dec. 11-14 to film the latest "Catholic Courses" series in the converted theatre on the Sacred Heart Campus at the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Belmont. Pictured with Father McBride are (from left) Zachery Brakefield, Sarah Laurell, Conor Gallagher, Rick Rotondi and Kevin Gallagher. (Sueann Howell | Catholic News Herald)

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