Blue and White
November 12, 2018
Fr. Don Cowie, SM
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God…”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Father Don Cowie, the third of 11 siblings, was born July 13, 1929 to Sylvester and Mary McKenna Cowie in Kirkwood, Missouri. He first met the Marianists at Eugene Coyle High School. After graduating in 1947, he attended Saint Louis University and majored in chemistry. After a year, he realized how much he missed the Marianists stating, “They were focused on doing something good for the world, so I decided to join them.”
At the age of 19, Fr. Cowie was older than many members of his novitiate group in Wisconsin. He took first vows as a Marianist on August 15, 1949 at Marynook in Galesville, Wisconsin. Upon his graduation from St. Mary’s University in 1952 with an English degree, Father Cowie began his teaching ministry at McBride High School, in St. Louis. He professed final vows back in Galesville on July 19, 1953. In the subsequent years, Fr. Cowie taught at Marianist schools in Wisconsin and Texas and spent some time in Fribourg, Switzerland, where he studied for the priesthood. He was ordained on July 16, 1961.
Fr. Cowie first joined the Central Catholic High School faculty in 1974 and taught until 1980. Then, following a 14-year assignment at St. John Vianney in St. Louis, he returned to CCHS in 1994 – this time for good. Throughout his 66 years of teaching, Fr. Cowie was known for his piety, wry sense of humor, and ending nearly every class with a 23-question verbal quiz. Fr. Cowie proclaimed himself a “book teacher”. He said, “Students don’t need to watch more movies or be on the internet, but they do need to pay attention to written text, which is still incredibly crucial for a college education.”
Fr. Cowie was an indefatigable icon at Central Catholic teaching until the age of 88. His battle with prostate cancer or suffering a heart attack never discouraged him from remaining active. Members of the community remark at the undeniable devotion and passion for serving others. Bro. Harry Cornell ’58 said, “Teaching, saying daily mass at school, hearing confessions after school or for the community, and doing such things as washing all of the community’s cars, keeping our residence clean and orderly, and being present at all of our daily prayers – he was always there for others.”
In addition to serving Central Catholic High School, he also served seven different youth camps (Tecaboca, Honey Creek, Mystic, Stewart, Waldemar, Heart of the Hills, and Vista Camp) which welcomed Fr. Cowie each summer for the past 40 years to celebrate masses in the Texas Hill Country.
In his final weeks, Fr. Cowie continued to pray for our students, faculty, staff and the entire Central Catholic High School community.
Fr. Cowie passed away and began his eternal journey with Our Lord and Mary, Our Mother, the evening of November 8, 2018. He was surrounded by loving friends and by the many thoughts and prayers of all those whose lives he touched. In addition to his Marianist Brothers and Community, Fr. Cowie is survived by his sister, brother, nieces, and nephews.
We give thanks to God for Fr. Cowie’s life and his incredible dedication to nurture Mary’s children on earth and to see the face of God in others as he joins Communion of Saints in heaven.
Father Don Cowie gladly co-authored this special edition of the Blue and White. He chose the scripture, wrote commentary, made available his homilies and prayers and even allowed us to professionally videotape him in the chapel reciting his original prayers so that we can continue to grow closer to God. Father Cowie insatiably desired for all of us to become closer to the glory and honor of God through the intercession of Mary. Father Don did not want to be remembered only for being a prayerful man, but instead, he wanted his life to be a catalyst for others to sustain a joyful relationship with Jesus and His mother Mary.
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
John 2:5
These prayers have been videotaped and made available on our web site: www.cchs-satx.org/FatherCowie
Athletic Banquet
Board of Directors
Christmas Meeting
First Day of School
Freshman Registration
Gala
Graduation
Homecoming
Introduction Prayer for Alumni
JROTC Brigade Review
Junior Ring Ceremony
Marianist Heritage Week
Musicians
National Honor Society
Prostate Cancer Fundraiser
Scholarship Givers
SeniorAwards Day
Vietnam Wall
Vocations
Luke 1:38
"'The angel said to Mary, 'Hail, favored one! The Lord be with you.' And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.'"
Matthew 4:19
“
Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
“And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. “
John 1:14
Lord Jesus, you said “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
We remember your words, Lord Jesus, as we offer you in prayer and in love for our deceased. We ask that you fill them now with your abundant life. You were present in their life and at their death, promising that “whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.” (John 11:25)
We thank you. Lord, for allowing us to share in the life, joys, and sufferings of our dear friend. May their life and death deepen our bonds of faith, hope and charity. May our prayers help bring them and all of our deceased family members “into the light of your face.”
We ask you, Lord, to bring comfort and courage to their family and friends. May your Mother, Mary, pray for all of us “now and at the hour of death.” AMEN!
This prayer was composed by Father Cowie. The prayer has been professionally printed on cardstock and distributed to Central Catholic alumni and family members in a time of loss. It is a gesture of our condolences and assured prayers.
