President's Press: Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

Dear St. Pius X Family,

"Instead of a myopic emphasis on what students can do, a Catholic education cultivates their inner potential on natural and supernatural planes, thereby also preparing them for any kind of work the future holds."

— Bishop James Conley

This week, we join Catholic schools across the country in celebrating Catholic Schools Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the profound value of Catholic education.

As a product of Catholic education myself, and now in my 14th year at St. Pius X, I can say with confidence that a St. Pius X education is one of the best investments a family can make in the Atlanta area. Our unique combination of Catholic identity, academic excellence, competitive extracurriculars, and a close-knit, "small town" community feel truly sets us apart. We have much to celebrate, and we will conclude this special week with our most important gathering — an all-school Mass with Father Robbie in the Mark Kelly Gymnasium. I invite our stakeholders to join us for this beautiful celebration at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.

This year, 2025, is a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church — an occasion of special significance that occurs every 25 years. The theme of this Jubilee is "Pilgrims of Hope." Hope is the expectation of something good to come, and when I reflect on hope, I immediately think of our students. The mission of Catholic education is to prepare young people to become saints, and it is my deepest hope that their four-year journey at St. Pius X will pave the way for a brighter future — one that strengthens both our world and our Church.

Our students naturally spend a great deal of time thinking about their future beyond graduation. As I shared with them at our first assembly of the year:

"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end."

May we continue to walk this journey together, embracing the hope, faith, and purpose that Catholic education provides.

Domini Sumus,

Aaron Parr ‘06

President

NEW STEM LAB OPENS

In just a few short months, the Donnellan Center weight room was transformed from a dark and “fragrant” space into a shiny new STEM Lab, complete with a beautiful outdoor terrace. To commemorate the opening, a small ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on January 6. Funded by a private, anonymous family foundation, the lab includes new 3D printers, graphic tablets, robots, a robotic competition field, moveable furniture, drop-down electrical cords, and more.

Currently AP Computer Science and Computer Programming are being taught in the space, with the Robotics Team finishing up their season in the STEM Lab as well. Robotics classes will continue in the STEM Lab in the fall, and an engineering course has been added to the curriculum. The school gratefully acknowledges the DA Edwards Co. for constructing the space, as well as the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia for its support of this effort.

If you are unable to attend Trivia Night, please support our students by purchasing a raffle ticket (you do not need to be present to win).

Braves Opening Weekend package with 4 tickets

Dinner at Il Gallio for 6

ASW Tour for 10

Atlanta United game for 2

Oura Ring

Click Here for Trivia Night Tickets and Raffle Purchases!

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN DC MARCH FOR LIFE

A group of students from St. Pius X recently traveled to Washington, D.C., alongside the Campus Ministry department and two faculty members, to participate in the annual March for Life. Since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973, tens of thousands have gathered each year to peacefully pray, protest, and advocate for the legal protection of human life from natural conception to natural death.

Before the March, the group attended Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, celebrated by Cardinals Wilton Gregory and Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., and joined by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. The March itself began at the Washington Monument, proceeded past the Capitol, and concluded in front of the Supreme Court.

Beyond the March, students had the opportunity to explore the nation's capital. They shared group meals, went ice skating, and spent time at Arlington National Cemetery. They also visited the Lincoln Memorial and concluded their trip with a visit to the St. John Paul II National Shrine, followed by Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest church in the United States.

The trip provided students with a meaningful opportunity to engage in their faith, witness to their beliefs, and experience the history and culture of Washington, D.C.

PIUS ALUMS SELECTED AS EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

At the annual Archbishop’s Celebration of Catholic Education on January 25, Rachel Braham was honored as the St. Pius X Archdiocesan Employee of the Year. An alumna of the class of 1986, Rachel has been a dedicated member of the St. Pius X faculty since 1998 and has served as Dean of Students for the past 18 years. Congratulations to Rachel on this well-earned recognition!

We also extend our congratulations to Lisa McBride Beck, a 1985 graduate of St. Pius X, who was named Employee of the Year at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School, where she teaches kindergarten. Well done, Lisa!

WINTER SPORTS UPDATE

Basketball is off to a strong start, with the boys’ team holding a 14-4 record and the girls’ team at 13-7. Both teams play at home tonight against Southwest DeKalb and hit the road tomorrow to take on Clarkston.

Swim & Dive is having an excellent season and is poised to deliver another impressive performance at the GHSA State Meet on February 4-6.

Wrestling has had an outstanding dual season and is gearing up for a strong showing at the traditional GHSA State Competition on February 13-14. The team competes this weekend in the Region Tournament at Druid Hills, followed by the Sectional Tournament on February 8 at Harris County.