by Sr. Jeanette Rerucha, M.S.,
principal and teacher at Villa Marie School for Exceptional Children
“Here comes Jesus,” Simon said to the Sister kneeling next to him, as Father opened the tabernacle to remove the ciborium before Communion at a daily Mass celebrated at Villa Marie School. This severely autistic young man understood the profound truth of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament better than many highly-educated persons well-versed in theology.
One year at our Christmas party, Noah opened the gift for his classroom, which consisted of many practical items, including lead for their mechanical pencils. When he saw it, he jumped for joy, exclaiming, “We are the luckiest kids!”
These students that I have been privileged to work with at Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children have taught me so much. They have taught me to laugh and to love, to grow in patience, to not take myself too seriously, and to appreciate the simple joys of life. Each child that has walked through the doors of this beautiful little school, the only Catholic boarding school for special needs students in the area, has brought with them their own unique gifts, talents, and personality.
Villa Marie owes its existence to the vision, determination, and courage of Msgr. James Dawson, our beloved founder who entered into his eternal reward this past June. In his role as diocesan superintendent of schools, Msgr. Dawson was an intrepid advocate for the rights of students with special needs, at a time when most of them had no access to even the most basic education. Many such children simply stayed at home or were institutionalized.
Msgr. Dawson was passionate about the need to provide for them, and so the dream of a Catholic boarding school for students with special needs was born. Thanks to the permission of Bishop Casey, the generous bequest of Monsignor’s cousin Winifred Dawson, and a tremendous amount of legwork on Msgr. Dawson’s part, his dream became a reality. Villa Marie opened its doors in January 1964. Msgr. Dawson always had a special place in his heart for Villa Marie, and even in his retirement and declining health was always present at our Christmas programs, dances, and graduations. We miss him very much but we know he continues to advocate for us from a much better vantage point.
Msgr. Dawson was always so appreciative of the Marian Sisters, who have staffed Villa Marie from the beginning. The idea of someday working at Villa Marie was one of the drawing cards for me as I was discerning my vocation to the Marian Sisters, since I had just obtained a degree in special education. I am grateful for all of the Sisters whose lives have touched the students of Villa Marie, and I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of those who have served as principals. I am also so grateful for the leadership and spiritual fatherhood of our current director, Msgr. John Perkinton, who took the helm after Msgr. Dawson retired.
Witnessing the spiritual progress of the students has been one of the most rewarding aspects of serving at Villa Marie. We have had several baptisms, first Communions, and confirmations, which are occasions of incredible joy. More students are preparing to receive the sacraments. Just under half of our students are Catholic, but they are all so attentive during religion classes and at Mass. Their petitions during the Prayers of the Faithful are truly from the heart, whether they are praying for their dog to get better, their family to get along, their relatives who are sick, or their dad in his stressful job.
One day several years ago, Mass was scheduled right after the students had returned from a field trip to the fire station. As Msgr. Perkinton was giving his dialogue homily, he asked the students, “What should you do if you commit a sin?” Stephen’s hand shot up, and as Msgr. Perkinton called on him, Stephen exclaimed confidently, “You should stop, drop, and roll!” Monsignor quickly concluded the homily and went on with the Mass.
As of this writing, we are in a remote learning situation, in which I have all of the students on Zoom for religion class. Our two new students joined us one day on Zoom so that they and our current students could “meet” each other. As I was teaching them about St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of our new students, who is not Catholic, asked how the picture of Mary got onto Juan Diego’s cloak. I was trying to explain that it was a miracle, when Jasper raised his hand and said, “It’s because God can do anything, and nothing is impossible with God!” Again, these students understand more than we realize and they teach me so much!
All of the students, boarders and day students alike, truly form a family. As with any family, we have our share of drama, “sibling” squabbles, and annoyances. But when push comes to shove, the students are there for each other and form lasting friendships—so much so that they don’t want to leave when Graduation Day rolls around. One child, after his first week of school at Villa Marie, told his parents, “All the kids are like me.” Unfortunately, many of them come from school settings in which they are bullied or simply fall through the cracks. At Villa Marie they find that they are accepted for who they are, and then they are able to thrive and make progress in all areas—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
We have had so many success stories—enough for another entire column! One student barely talked when he came to us, and would not make eye contact. After just a few months at Villa Marie, he began talking more and more. Last year, when representatives from the State Department of Education visited, he looked them in the eye and confidently greeted them!
A young woman on the autism spectrum, who graduated several years ago, would not even enter the dining room when she came. Before she graduated, she was giving presentations on autism to groups consisting of hundreds of people. Another graduate volunteers at one of the Catholic grade schools and has helped with our summer camp, and a young man who graduated now helps with mowing and other work around the Catholic Center. The list goes on and on.
Villa Marie School is not connected to a particular parish, as are our other Catholic schools, and there is no set tuition rate. Therefore, we rely totally on the Providence of God, through the generosity of donors and benefactors. The Knights of Columbus have faithfully supported us through the years. God has been so good to us!
Our annual dance has been our only fundraiser, and this year it will be a virtual event. If you wish to attend, please go to https://villamariewaverly.brushfire.com/aheartlikehis/484376 to sign up. If you would like more information about Villa Marie, please call 402-786-3625 or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. May God bless you!
