The Mount Celebrates Catholic Sisters Week 2024 with Sr. Lena Picillo

Spotlight on: Sr. Lena Picillo 

Sharing the Spirit of Mission at the Mount!

Sr. Lena Picillo has touched many lives through her lifelong dedication to charity, philanthropy, volunteering, and education. Her passion for service began in childhood, influenced by her parents' involvement in the American Legion, instilling in her the value of community giving—a principle she has steadfastly upheld.

For over seven decades, Sr. Lena has devoted herself to service, education, and ministry, leaving an indelible mark on countless individuals. Her journey has spanned classrooms in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador to leadership roles in Catholic elementary schools across the Patterson, Trenton, and Essex County dioceses, as well as Spring Lake, NJ, where she served as both teacher and Principal. Her current role in Campus Ministry at Mount St. Dominic Academy reflects her unwavering commitment to the Dominican Pillar of Ministry, inspiring and educating students on the importance of service.

Under Sr. Lena's guidance, Mount students have collectively contributed over 4,279 hours of service this year alone, volunteering at Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair, St. Ann’s Church, St. John’s Soup Kitchen, Mercy House in Newark, and other charitable organizations. Her leadership extends beyond local service projects; she has organized transformative mission trips to McAllen, Texas, where students volunteered at the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley Sacred Heart Humanitarian Respite Center (HRC) to aid refugees seeking safety. Additionally, she annually leads Mount students in volunteering at Camp Sunshine in Maine, a haven for terminally ill children and their families, bringing joy to the camp community.

Sr. Lena's dedication to service has not only impacted those she has served directly but has also inspired a new generation of changemakers at Mount St. Dominic Academy.