About the Office for Youth and Young Adults (OYYA)

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The Office for Youth and Young Adults supports school, parish and Church leaders in their mission to prepare youth and young adults to hear and respond to the call of Jesus Christ.

OYYA's goals as named within Renewing the Vision, the Bishop's document on youth ministry:

To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community.
To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each person.

History of the OYYA Logo

The triangular shape of the logo represents the Trinity, the most perfect relationship. Much of youth and young adult ministry is centered around relationships - youth to youth, young adult to young adult, youth to adult, youth and young adult to Jesus Christ.

Individuals discover themselves through others and this concept of relationships is conveyed through the touching of the figures within the triangle. The touching symbolizes the reaching out of people to bring youth in, to welcome them and make them feel comfortable in the Church community.

The cross within the symbol reflects the element of sacrifice that was significant in the life of Jesus. The logo appropriately shows youth and young adults within the Church because they are a very real and dynamic element within the entire Church community. Youth and young adults are the Church of today and their gifts and talents should be appreciated now. Additionally, the Y shape of the logo is drawn to represent a chalice and the Eucharist, which is central to our faith and to our youth and young adults.

The logo represents the office's mission to make Christ present to all youth and young adults. The Office for Youth and Young Adults hopes the logo becomes visible and recognizable by groups throughout the Archdiocese and the country.