Dear St. Pius X Family,

As first semester comes to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone for your consistent support and belief in our mission, our faculty, and most importantly, our students. 

This semester was full of new beginnings. There were 264 new students, 16 new faculty and staff members, and a new field house. It was also a semester of preparation. We prepared for tests, fine arts events, athletic competitions, an updated strategic plan, and a new STEM lab (opening January 2025)! But most importantly, we embraced our challenges this semester while keeping our mission and tradition strong. 

A great school is built on the foundation of supportive and hardworking parents. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two exceptional individuals whose dedication has made a significant impact this semester.

Before Thanksgiving, we hosted our annual Holiday Marketplace, an important fundraiser for tuition assistance and a major logistical undertaking. This event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Teresa Ebbs. Her energy and commitment helped us raise $60,000 for families in need. Teresa, thank you for your incredible work and for making such a difference in the lives of so many.

Last week, we wrapped up our annual Dresden Christmas Service Project, in which families and organizations on campus adopt families at Dresden Elementary School to provide them with Christmas gifts. This heartwarming tradition embodies our mission to give back to our local community. Under the leadership of Bonnie Chandler, this year’s project was a resounding success. Bonnie, thank you for your willingness to step up and lead this important initiative. Your efforts have truly impacted the lives of those in need.

As we look toward 2025, I hope you some time to rest and recharge. The word "recreation" comes from the idea of "recreating" oneself, and I encourage all to find peace and renewal during this holiday season.

As we prepare for Christmas, I would like to share a special message from our Chaplain, Father Robbie. I hope you find it meaningful and uplifting.

May your Christmas be filled with the peace of Christ’s love.

Domini Sumus,

Aaron Parr ‘06

President

Happy Advent, Everyone! 

As the first semester winds down and we prepare for Christmas break, I first want to share how blessed I feel to have been given the opportunity to serve as the full-time chaplain here at St. Pius X. This is an incredible community. I wake up every morning excited to get to school. It’s been a great gift watching the spiritual life of our community begin to flourish, and I can’t wait to see what good things the future holds for all of us.

I’d like to share some thoughts about our upcoming celebration of Christmas. Here are a few lines from Monsignor Luigi Giusanni’s book, At the Origin of the Christian Claim: “In any case and for any individual who hears it, the mere fact that even one man claims: 'God was made man,' presents a radical, unavoidable problem for the religious life of humanity.” He goes on to say that when any one of us hears the announcement of Jesus, we are forced to answer “yes” or “no,” and that “To this very day, this event has been proclaimed and announced as the event of a Presence. That one man said: 'I am God,' and that this is passed on as a present fact forcefully demands a personal stance.” Monsignor Giusanni calls this personal stance “the greatest decision of our existence.” 

There is only one reason to celebrate Christmas: to commemorate and rejoice in the announcement that God, the architect of the universe, became Man and appeared in our world as an infant born of a Virgin. Each of us who has heard this announcement of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, then, is forced to decide. Either God was born in Bethlehem, or He was not. Either the well-documented historical man they call Jesus of Nazareth is who He says that He is, or He is not. Either the Christmas proclamation means everything, or it means absolutely nothing. There is no in-between. Each of us must answer “yes” or “no.”

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I invite all of us to contemplate this greatest announcement and to ask ourselves very honestly whether or not we’ve arrived at our own conclusion. To answer “yes” and to confess Him as Lord and Savior is the single greatest decision we can make on this side of heaven, and my prayer for all of you is that you will encounter Him in a new and more tangible way in your celebration of Christmas this year. 

Merry Christmas to you and your families! Domini Sumus! 

God love you, 

Fr. Robbie

JMJ+

ANNUAL DRESDEN CHRISTMAS "ANGEL TREE"

Last Saturday, the St. Pius X Mothers' Club held the annual Dresden Christmas “Angel Tree” event, which brings Christmas cheer to over 100 students and siblings from Dresden Elementary School. Each child received clothing, pajamas, a coat, toys or books, a Walmart gift card, and a cozy fleece blanket handmade by a St. Pius X student. Student and parent volunteers were vital, assisting as greeters, translators, gift loaders, and distributors. The Mothers' Club is deeply grateful to our Angel Tree Chairs, Bonnie Chandler & Sarah Schlenk, as well as our generous St. Pius X families, sports teams, clubs, and faculty for making this heartwarming tradition possible!

NOW IS THE TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN GEORGIA GOAL!

We need $200,000 more in tax designations.

Help us get there!

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.

THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE: A HUGE SUCCESS!

The 30th Annual St. Pius X Holiday Marketplace took place on Saturday, November 23, 2024, and was a resounding success! With over 175 vendors, the event grossed over $65,000 to support student scholarships, helping make a St. Pius X education accessible to many deserving students. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated volunteers, committee members, enthusiastic shoppers, and incredible vendors for making this event such an accomplishment!

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. Please submit this form prior to making your transfer to receive instructions.
• 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!