Reflecting on a life of service, leadership and belonging
For 50 years, Sr. Paulette LoMonaco served children, youth and families through Good Shepherd Services (GSS) in New York. In June, her decades of ministry and leadership were recognized with the Monsignor Kevin Sullivan Lifetime Service Award at the 17th Annual Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York Gala.
The award recognizes Sr. Paulette’s distinctive impact on the lives of New York City children, youth and families, as well as her influence in shaping child welfare, education and family support systems.
During her 40 years as executive director of GSS, the organization grew from residential programs into a network of community-based services reaching more than 30,000 individuals each year.
Sr. Paulette helped guide GSS through significant growth and change, including four mergers with other agencies. “It was challenging but interesting,” she said. The mergers also allowed GSS to reach and serve more people.
A Culture of Mission
Sr. Paulette is proud of the quality of the services GSS provides and the culture the organization worked intentionally to create. “We took our mission and values very seriously,” she said.
For Sr. Paulette, fostering a sense of belonging was especially important. Many of the young people she encountered, particularly those in residential programs, had rarely experienced a true sense of belonging.
I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to serve in the way I have been asked to serve.
Sr. Paulette LoMonaco
Influenced by the principles of servant leadership, Sr. Paulette sought to bring out the best in the people around her. That commitment extended to the more than 1,300 staff members who worked at GSS, as well as to the people the organization served. “The whole idea of servant leadership fit me,” she said.
Continuing a Legacy of Service
Today, Sr. Paulette continues to share her experience and knowledge through service on several nonprofit boards, many of them connected to the Good Shepherd mission. She especially enjoys working with the Good Shepherd International Foundation, where she can learn about the ministries and work of sisters and agencies around the world.
Sr. Paulette continues to be inspired by the people who carry forward the Good Shepherd mission, especially the staff at GSS. Through their dedication, Sr. Paulette sees the same spirit of service, care and commitment that has shaped her own ministry for five decades.
“The work is not always easy,” she said. “But the staff at GSS and at all our programs continue to inspire me.”
Reflecting on the award and her years of service, Sr. Paulette remains deeply grateful. “I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to serve in the way I have been asked to serve,” she said.
Wisdom is meant to be shared… Thank you, Sr. Paulette, for the many ways you continue to be open to new possibilities to express the mission.
Sr. Maureen McGowan, regional leader
