ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Dear St. Pius X Family,

For the past three weeks, I’ve had the joy (and, admittedly, a little bit of misery) of hearing my four-year-old practice a Thanksgiving song for her upcoming preschool performance. The song emphasizes having an "attitude of gratitude," and as Thanksgiving approaches, my heart is full of gratitude for all of you and our wonderful St. Pius X community.

This month, our community has truly risen to the occasion. Many families have joined our annual Dresden Christmas Project, which provides gifts for children in need, ensuring they experience a meaningful Christmas. Our students and faculty also participated in a Rise Against Hunger service project, packing thousands of meals for underprivileged families in Africa. And we’ve seen tremendous support for our annual fund — with parent participation currently at 61%, up from 37% this same time last year. I’m deeply grateful for the generosity and commitment our families continue to show.

Looking ahead to December, we’re excited to kick off our #iGiveCatholic campaign right after Thanksgiving break. This year, we have set an ambitious goal to raise $125,000 for our annual fund—10% of our overall goal! Early giving runs through December 2, with every donation matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000. And, if 100 alumni give during the campaign, two generous alumni will unlock a $20,000 challenge gift. The excitement will continue on December 3 with additional matching opportunities, including a $50,000 match!

Our mission at St. Pius X is to help students experience the joy of life, the wonder of God’s creation, a love of learning, and a hunger for faith. Your support on #iGiveCatholic Day helps make this mission possible, and we’re so grateful for your continued commitment.

As we head into the Thanksgiving break, I wish all of you a joyful and peaceful holiday. I’m incredibly thankful for your support, and I hope we all can embrace an "attitude of gratitude" for the many blessings God provides us.

In closing, I want to share a beautiful thought from St. John Chrysostom: “Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has, and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.”

Domini Sumus,

Aaron Parr ‘06

President

KICKING OFF THE #iGIVECATHOLIC CAMPAIGN:

A CALL FOR SUPPORT

We’re excited to launch this year’s #iGiveCatholic campaign, an incredible opportunity to raise $125,000 for our Annual Fund - 10% of our overall goal!

Early giving runs now through December 2, with every donation matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000. Plus, if 100 alumni give during the campaign, two generous alumni will unlock a $20,000 challenge gift. The excitement builds on December 3 with additional matching opportunities, including a $50,000 match! These matches are being offered by current parents, alumni, and a grandparent.

Your gift to the Annual Fund directly supports our full-time Campus Chaplain, as well as our exceptional faculty, rigorous academics, vibrant arts, and thriving athletics. Every contribution sustains and grows the programs that define the St. Pius X experience.

Don’t wait—your support will have an even greater impact during this special campaign. Together, we can make a lasting difference. Join us and help us reach our #iGiveCatholic goal today!

NOW IS THE TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN GEORGIA GOAL!

What is Georgia GOAL?

The GOAL scholarship program is an incredible and proven opportunity that allows Georgia taxpayers like you to redirect a portion of your state income tax to provide needs-based scholarships for students to attend St. Pius X Catholic High School.

Make a Significant Impact at No Cost

Your participation in GOAL:

• Nets you a dollar-for-dollar tax credit
• Provides needs-based financial aid
• Increases funds available for educational enhancements
• Enables St. Pius X to further its mission by reaching more families desiring a Catholic education

Redirect Your Tax Dollars Today!

Maximum Contribution Amounts:

• Single Filer — $2,500
• Married Separate Filer — $2,500
• Married Joint Filer — $5,000
• Individual Pass-Through Owner — $25,000
• C Corp, Trust, or Electing Pass-Through — 75% of annual tax liability

NOTE: A 50% proration is expected this year, so please consider applying for the maximum allowed.

Kick off the Christmas shopping season with a visit to our 30th annual St. Pius X Holiday Marketplace this Saturday, November 23, 2024. Marketplace is a long-standing St. Pius X tradition with over 175 vendors, as well as bake sales, cafes, raffles, and more. Proceeds from Marketplace fund St. Pius X student scholarships. We look forward to seeing you!

DENNIS RUGGIERO HONORED FOR WORK IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

Dennis Ruggiero, a theology teacher at St. Pius X Catholic High School since 1995, was honored during the All Saints’ Day Mass on November 1 with the prestigious White Rose Award. This recognition, presented by the White Rose Society, celebrates individuals who exemplify unwavering support for the Jewish community.

Mr. Ruggiero teaches the highly regarded Holocaust & Genocide course to senior students, which includes an annual trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Each summer, he also leads a group of graduates on a journey to Germany, where they visit historical sites they learned about in class, including the Dachau concentration camp.

In addition to his teaching role, Mr. Ruggiero is an Alfred Lerner Fellow of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous and serves on the advisory board of the Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University. To learn more about Mr. Ruggiero's impactful work and this distinguished honor, read the full article in The Georgia Bulletin.

MORNING OF THE ARTS

On November 13, we welcomed over 350 sixth grade students from Archdiocesan schools for a special Morning of the Arts. Our Band, Chorus, Drama, Dance, and Visual Arts programs were featured throughout the morning, followed by lunch and a dance contest in Maloof Stadium.

SPX SOFTBALL CELEBRATES AN IMPRESSIVE SEASON!

The St. Pius X Softball Team, coached by Amie McDougal, had an outstanding season. They finished with an impressive 24-6 record, a region championship, and a visit to the Elite 8. Congratulations to the following players who were named to the all-region teams!

First Team: Maya McDaniel (C), Alex Petitt (C), Ella Hall (IF), Megan Snipes (IF), Regan Waters (OF), Mary Durieux (OF), Merritt Gorman (UT)

Second Team: Sadie Flynn (P), Maggie Maloney (IF), Ruby Nelms (OF)

Honorable Mention: Maggie Laba (P), Piper Grabow (P), Grace Benjamson (IF), Kirby Harlan (IF)

YEAR-END GIVING OPTIONS

Did you know that St. Pius X receives more than 20% of Annual Fund gifts during the month of December? It’s a great time to show your support for the school, and there are a variety of ways to do so. 

1. Consider setting up a recurring donation. Smaller, regular contributions can be more manageable than a larger one-time gift and allow you to give more over time.
2. Give appreciated stock. If you’ve held shares for over a year that have grown in value, you can save on capital gains taxes by gifting them directly to St. Pius X. Stock transfer instructions can be found here. Be sure to initiate transfers by December 19.
3. Double your gift with a corporate match. A matching gift allows you to multiply the size of your gift without impacting your wallet. Click here to see if your employer will match your donation.
4. Give Online. Easily make a secure donation from anywhere using a credit card, ACH, or mobile wallet.
5. Participate in Georgia GOAL. Redirect your Georgia state taxes to St. Pius X for need-based scholarships. Click here to learn more.

YEAR-END DATES

• Wednesday, December 18: Initiate stock transfers by this date.
• Friday, December 27: Register with GOAL to direct your state taxes for St. Pius X scholarships. This deadline allows GOAL time to ensure the accuracy of your submission prior to submitting it to the State of Georgia on January 2, 2025.
• Tuesday, December 31: Checks must be written and postmarked by this date. Online gifts must be made before midnight. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!