Sister Mary McCue, SNDdeN grew up in Salem, Massachusetts, with her loving parents, William and Kathryn McCue, and her sisters, Kathryn, Dorothy, and Eleanor. Sister Mary feels blessed for having grown up in such a nurturing environment with her family’s love and support and surrounded by beauty and water in Salem.
Sister Mary attended St. James School in Salem for 12 years, where the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur profoundly influenced her. Their teaching and example inspired her to join the congregation and dedicate her life to service. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1954, taking the name Sister Joseph Marian.
Her first mission to teach at Holy Cross in Springfield, Massachusetts, was initially a challenge because she had only lived in Salem. Holy Cross was a beautiful new flourishing school, and Sister Mary felt it was a great place to begin her teaching ministry. She taught second grade for eight years, with large classes of 55 to 60 students, and she found the parish community warm and welcoming. "I met wonderful Sisters, students, and parishioners," she recalls. This experience helped her grow as a teacher and a Sister.
Throughout her diverse ministries, Sister Mary has found enrichment and fulfillment. From teaching for 23 years in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island to studying and becoming certified and serving as a chaplain in a large hospital, and now as a Pastoral Minister in St. Cecilia Parish in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, each role has brought unique blessings. She sees that all her past experiences have led her to work with St. Cecilia and its vibrant community, where she has served for nearly 30 years. Sister Mary feels this is home for her and one of her richest ministries because not only has she grown her role, but she has also grown personally.
Sister Mary values the diversity of her experiences and the opportunities to proclaim God's goodness. “I am a person who hears God say to me, ‘Grow, Mary, grow,’ so I never want to stop growing.”
At this time of Jubilee, Sister Mary is incredibly grateful for God's goodness in her life. She feels honored to proclaim God's love and grace every day. "I shall forever be grateful to God and to Notre Dame for the education I have received and for the privilege of proclaiming and sharing God's goodness wherever I go," she says. “I love God so much, and my whole life is loving God.”
For those discerning a vocation, Sister Mary offers this advice: "Believe that our Good God will be with you as you discern, and caring people will accompany you on your journey. Listen to your heart. You will soon be the best for you." She believes in the importance of trusting in God's guidance and the support of a loving community.
Sister Mary's hope is unwavering. She believes that no matter what happens in our world, God will never leave us and will continue to gift us with His love and grace. Her favorite quote from St. Julie Billiart, "Better mistakes than paralysis," resonates deeply with her, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and moving forward in faith.