St. Pius X Parish celebrates opening of DeJoy Primary Education Center

GREENSBORO — St. Pius X School celebrated the dedication of the new DeJoy Primary Education Center Sept. 13. Clergy, teachers, benefactors and parishioners gathered for a dedication, blessing and tour of their new state-of-the-art early education building that will house a new pre-kindergarten program, as well as St. Pius’ existing kindergarten and first-grade classrooms.
The $3.6 million center is part of the parish’s three-year “Making a Place to Gather and Grow” campaign and was combined under the auspices of the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign. St. Pius X parishioners have raised more than $6 million of the $8.6 million campaign, which is also funding a new 23,477-square-foot Parish Life Center for the growing parish of more than 1,800 registered families.

After a year of construction, the 22,885-square-foot building opened its doors to students Aug. 22 with two pre-kindergarten classrooms, two kindergarten classrooms and two first-grade classrooms.

During the dedication, Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio reflected on the benefits of this project of evangelization and education.

“When you walk into the building, you’ll see there is an American flag and a papal flag because we believe that this building is an asset, not just to our church and our faith community, but to the city of Greensboro,” Monsignor Marcaccio said. “It’s a huge asset to have: a choice in education.

“We believe that this institution which we dedicate today will form not just good Christians and hopefully help make saints, but will form good citizens of these great United States of America.”

A quality pre-kindergarten program is increasingly in demand in the Greensboro area. Principal Ann Flynt recently noted that enrollment at the DeJoy Primary Education Center is already close to the center’s 154-student capacity.

The DeJoy Primary Education Center has been designed uniquely for the young learner. It has space for small-group instruction, a large assembly room, collaboration space between classrooms, a dedicated pre-kindergarten playground, large floor-to-ceiling windows that allow in generous amounts of natural light, along with other features to support a constructive and natural learning environment.

Monsignor Marcaccio thanked the project’s building committee, especially Chairman Tom Martin. He thanked project managers, construction workers, the parish council and St. Pius X parishioners and benefactors for making it financially possible.

Wos and her husband Louis DeJoy stand with Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church and School. (Photos by Georgianna Penn, Catholic News Herald)St. Pius X students (from left) Maggie Davis, Vince Warren, Liam O’Brien, Sienna Arnold, Clark Wahlberg and Oliver Arnold stand with the Honorable Aldona Wos, one of the most significant benefactors of the DeJoy Primary Education Center on the Greensboro parish and school campus. Two of the most significant benefactors of the project, the Honorable Aldona Wos and her husband Louis DeJoy, were all smiles during the dedication ceremony.

“We know that when quality primary education is offered to children it increases their chances of succeeding, not only in school but in life. And if you incorporate this opportunity with the fundamental historic tradition of a Catholic education, stimulating interactions in a creative environment coupled with parental involvement, there are no limits to future opportunities for our students and our community,” Wos said. “My husband Louis DeJoy and I are blessed to be able to support this investment in primary education for the youngest of our community members. The children are our future!”

DeJoy added, “Aldona and I are very proud to support Monsignor Marcaccio and his vision to transform this campus with the addition of the DeJoy Primary Education Center. Under his leadership, all of us who have supported this education initiative have favorably impacted the young minds at St. Pius for many years to come.”

Also present at the dedication was Bishop Peter Jugis, who noted that the project was truly an effort by the entire St. Pius X Parish community.

“It’s also a testimony to the generosity of the entire parish family,” Bishop Jugis said. “And for that we give thanks to God – especially to the Holy Spirit, which has inspired this work and has brought it to successful completion through our cooperation with the work of the Spirit.”

The St. Pius X Hand Bell Choir and children’s choir graced the evening with songs of peace, Bishop Jugis and clergy processed through the school to bless every room, teacher and corner. A reception followed in the Connolly Athletic Center.

“To actually be a part of and seeing the growth and the love here is just absolutely wonderful,” said parishioner Chris Romanyszyn. He and his wife Joanne have two children attending St. Pius X School. Fifth-grader Crystal Romanyszyn pointed out, “I like (the new school) because we get to have prayer buddies with the little kids.”

— Georgianna Penn, Correspondent