“When I attended Villa Maria Academy Lower School the IHM Charism took hold of me – Love, Creative Hope and Fidelity. I experienced a love that continues to manifest itself each day. It instilled in me a joyful service to God and his people. I was inspired by the Sisters’ commitment to their vocation in Christ and zeal for their mission in the Church. By that inspiration, I was led into Catholic Education with a charism that I have carried with me through my life and career.

I strive to be a role model for students, teachers, and administrators. I do this with reverence, respect, compassion, honesty, integrity, responsibility, cooperation, self-discipline and perseverance – all traits that I learned at an early age at Villa Maria Academy Lower School.”

– Bernadette Dougherty ’74, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary School for the Office of Catholic Education, former VMALS Advisory Board President