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Jim Cowan was born on Sept. 26, 1952 in Gunnison, Co. Growing up in Colorado he was very involved in sports. He participated in competitive ski racing, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, swimming, and many outdoor activities. His Dad was a recreation director for the city, and his Mom taught music in the Elementary school. Jim’s early music training included piano lessons from his mother, and voice lessons from a retired voice teacher and friend of the family. After high school, Jim studied music at Western State College in Gunnison, and at Emporia State Teacher’s College in Emporia, Kansas. His training included classical voice, piano, theory and harmony of music, and general studies. It was while he was at Emporia State that Jim experienced a spiritual conversion, and began to seek for God’s direction in his life. He withdrew from school and went to the Benedictine Monastery in Pecos, New Mexico. It was there that he converted to Catholicism, and began to write songs for liturgy and worship.
While at Pecos, he met his future wife, Mary, who had gone there after high school seeking God’s direction for her life. She also was raised in Colorado and was one of eight children. Her family had been going to the Pecos Monastery for family retreats each summer while she was growing up.
Jim and Mary were married in Leadville, Co. in Dec. 1974, and made their home in Crested Butte, Co. After a winter of enjoying the skiing, and beauty of the Colo. Rockies, they moved to Massachusetts where Jim resumed his music studies. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music and graduated from there with a degree in Voice in 1980. That same year, they were blessed with their first child, Katherine. They soon moved to Steubenville, Ohio to be part of a covenant community, of which they belonged to until 1990. During this time and up until 2004, Jim worked as Director of Music for Conferences at Franciscan University. He had the privilege, each summer, of leading thousands in praise and worship. It was especially rewarding to lead worship at the many Steubenville Youth Conferences! What an honor to see the mighty works of God changing lives and touching these young people!
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Cowan with Pope John Paul II. |
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Two more children blessed their family - James, in 1983, and Michele in 1985. As the children grew, they were able to do a lot of singing as a family. They began to do Eucharistic holy hours and concerts throughout the U.S. and Canada. One of their greatest blessings was being able to go to Rome to sing for the “Fire In Rome” pilgrimage sponsored by Franciscan University. On this particular journey, Jim was privileged to be able to meet the late Pope John Paul II, and sing at his private Mass!
In June 2005, Jim was asked by Fr. Peter Zalewski to be the Director of Music at St. Dominic Parish in Panama City, Florida. He accepted, and the Cowans made their move to beautiful Florida! In addition to doing all the music for the parish, Jim will continue to write and produce new music, as well as work together with Fr. Peter on the televised Mass and other evangelistic outreaches. It is a great privilege serving God’s people, and our new family, here at St. Dominic.
Our children have grown up now, (time does fly!), and each are pursuing new endeavors in their lives.
Katherine graduated from Franciscan University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. With degree in hand, she went to Kingston, Jamaica to do missionary work there at “Mustard Seed”- a house for abandoned children. It was such a year of growth for her, and she’ll never forget those precious children.
It was our blessing that she came and lived with us in Florida, while she worked as an RN and paid off her school loans. In Sept. 2006, she left us to join the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (CFR for short)! We, (and all her friends at St. Dominic), miss her a lot, but are so proud of her, and are rejoicing in the vocation God has called her to!
James graduated from Franciscan University in 2005, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. He has gone twice to Korea to teach English, which he enjoyed a lot, as he loves to travel and experience different cultures. He is now residing in Cincinnati, Ohio working as a photographer. We like having him a little closer to home, as we can see him a little more often. We were all together this past Christmas, (a great treat!), and he set up the camera for us and lent his expertise, so we could have a family portrait done.
Michele finished her freshman year at Franciscan University, but has decided that she will continue her education here in Panama City, Fl. She would like to pursue a nursing degree. In 2005, she worked with Jim on the “More” CD and did such a great job! God has really gifted her with a beautiful voice, and we look forward to many more projects ahead.
We thank God for His abundant blessings to our family, and give Him all the praise and honor!
If you would like a concert or Holy hour in your area, contact us at mary@jimcowan.com.
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth; break into song; sing praise…Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell there.” Psalm 98:4
Jim Cowan
P.O.Box 35366
Panama City, Florida 32412
