The Catholic Community of
Alliance, Maximo and Sebring
Rev. G. David Weikart, Pastor
Faith Formation
Regina Coeli Elementary School (K-5)
St. Thomas Aquinas Middle/High School (6-12)
O.C.I.A.
O.C.I.A. (Previously RCIA)
Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is the process through which men and women enter the Catholic Church. If you are already Catholic but would like a deeper understanding of your Catholic faith, this is for you. This "Journey of Faith" begins in October and new members are received into the church at the Easter Vigil.
O.C.I.A. Schedule 2024-2025
Class Sessions will be held
in the St. Joseph, Alliance Schwartz Center
at 12:15 p.m.
Part 1
Date Subject
October 6 The Journey of Faith: Trinity, Faith, & The God Who Is Love
October 13 Divine Revelation
October 20 The Bible: God's Love Letter to Humanity
October 27 The Story of Salvation
November 3 Who is Jesus?: Just a Good Man or Lord of Our LIves?
November 10 The Paschal Mystery: The Mystery of Jesus' Death & Resurrection
November 17 Advent and the Liturgical Year
November 24 The Holy Spirit and the Life of Grace: God's Divine Life Within Us
December 8 Rite of Acceptance
December 8 Why Do I Need the Church?
December 15 Mary and the Saints: Our Spiritual Mother and the Communion of Saints
January 5 The Last Things: What Happens After We Die?
Religious Education
grades K-8
Religious Education Opportunities
Our four-parish Catholic community will resume religious education programs for our youth grades K-8 beginning Sunday, September 15th with Open House. Class sessions will begin on Sunday, September 22nd. Again this year, families may choose the program that is the best fit for their needs. No matter which program you choose or which Mass you attend, your parish registration will remain the same, unless you decide to make changes.
Please consider the options that follow. There are some changes and new opportunities this year. Please read through the information, and prayerfully consider which option is best for your family at this time. If you need any other information about any of the programs, please contact one of the religious education team members listed.
Please note: If your child will be preparing to receive sacraments (First Communion of Confirmation), the Diocese of Youngstown REQUIRES at least two consecutive years of preparation.
Please choose from the following options:
*Traditional Catechesis (CCD/PSR) Grades K-8
Choose one of the following locations/times:
~ St. Joseph Parish, Maximo Sundays, 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
~St. Joseph Parish, Alliance Sundays, 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
*Middle School Ministry/Confirmation Preparation: Grades 6-8
Regina Coeli Parish Sundays, 8:45 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.
*Intergenerational Catechesis : Grades K-8 (new this year)
Regina Coeli Parish Families meet one Monday evening each month.
Additional lessons are completed at home.
Please note: Students in grade 8 in any of the programs will also be required to attend several meetings scheduled outside of class time for in-depth Confirmation preparation.
St. Joseph, Alliance: CCD
At. St. Joseph, Alliance, classes are offered for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Sacramental preparation classes for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation are also offered.
Classes meet Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the Schwartz Center.
Resources used are Sadlier's We Believe, Catholic Identity Parish Edition (sadlier.com) and Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program (gospelweeklies.com). In addition, we offer resources from Liturgy Training Publications (ltp.org). Resources from these three Catholic companies offer parents ways to connect with the weekly material beyond our Sunday morning classes so families can further learn and share their Catholic faith together.
All classes are taught by volunteer catechists who are registered members of the parish and who are compliant with the diocese and the requirements of the safe environment program. Volunteer catechists are needed for the 2023-24 academic year with classes scheduled to start on Sunday, September 22nd. To register or to learn more about religious education classes and opportunities to assist at St. Joseph, Alliance, please contact Matt Zeni at (330) 821-5760 or email mzeni@youngstowndiocese.org.
St. Joseph, Maximo: CCD
St. Joseph Parish in Maximo offers CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) for school aged children grades kindergarten through eighth with Sacramental Preparation offered in second grade for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion and in eighth grade for the Sacrament of Confirmation. St. Joseph's CCD program meets on Sunday mornings from 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Catechesis is based on the building blocks of our Fatih, teaching young students the who, what, where, and when about Catholic Church teachings and God's great love for us and appropriately integrating the why and how to the curriculum as students grow in their Faith. Weekly lessons are taught using the Our Sunday Visitor textbook series Alive in Christ. These lessons from the textbook are supplemented with hands-on manipulatives, videos, music, arts and crafts, and many other forms of instruction to help students understand the curriculum. Lesson goals are to help students make connections to the Catechism and Holy Bible with benchmarks being set using the Diocese of Youngstown Directory of Catechesis and students are checked throughout the school year.
All classes are taught by volunteer catechists who are registered members of the parish and who are compliant with the diocese and the requirements of the safe environment program.
To register or to learn more about religious education classes and opportunities to assist at St. Jospeh, Maximo, please contact Roger Herstine at rherstine@youngstowndiocese.org.
Regina Coeli: Middle School Ministry
Our Middle School Ministry Program will be offered on Sunday mornings at Regina Coeli. This ministry is for children in grades six through eight. This ministry will meet on Sunday mornings from 8:45 a.m. - 9:55 a.m. The focus of the sessions will be on growing into a more faithful disciple of Jesus Christ through the study and his teachings, a better understanding of the Bible, why Catholics believe what we believe, and how we can live as a committed Catholic in today's world. We will also focus on a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Mass. Pflaum's Gospel Weeklies, The Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers from St. Mary's Press and the Bible will be used to guide the instruction, along with resources, videos and materials that support the topics covered.
A team of catechists will work together to prepare and lead the sessions. Parents or relatives who are interested are wilcome to join this team!
If you would like to register or receive more information about our Middle School Ministry, please contact Amy Benedetti-Dike at 330-821-5880 or abenedetti@youngstowndiocese.org.
Regina Coeli:
Intergenerational Catechesis/Family Learning
We are excited to offer a new program this year that invites families to learn and grow together. We will meet together one Monday evening each month (a calendar with dates will be shared), and families will be given the tools to also work together through lessons on the Catholic faith at home. Interested families should contact Amy Benedetti-Dike at abenedetti@youngstowndiocese.org.
Bible Study
Bible Study is offered on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and is held at St. Ann and St. Joseph, Alliance locations from September through June, alternating monthly.
The upcoming weekend readings are read and discussed.
Call the parish office for more information.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School 2023
VBS 2023
Shine Jesus' Light
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
