About Us

Why, How, Who We Serve

Our Why > Mission

Through, with, and in Christ, the Office for Ministry with Youth (OMY) serves and supports those who Minister with Youth for effective ministry and advocacy of a culture where all youth, of all diversity, are welcomed and accompanied in their faith journey to co-responsible leadership, missionary discipleship, and vocational discernment.

How > Our Pillars

  1. Foster and Strengthen Ministry with Youth in the Catholic Church of Philadelphia.
  2. Accompany and Celebrate those who Minister with Youth with pastoral care, professional development, spiritual formation, and resources for effective Christ-centered ministry.
  3. Facilitate Youth Encounters with Christ, Self, and others.
  4. Engage and Form Youth to be protagonists and committed co-responsible leaders in ministry and the world.

Shared Mission of the OFFYYA

“Teaching, Accompanying, and Inspiring in the name of Jesus!”

The Office for Ministry with Youth (OMY) exists to support Ministers with Youth and parishes in their accompaniment of post-confirmation through High School youth as one of three branches of the Office for Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults (OFFYYA). The three branches of OFFYYA are: Office for Catechetical Formation, Office for Ministry with Youth, and the Office for Ministry with Young Adults. By being part of OFFYYA, these three offices hope to provide a better continuum of ministry and care that helps young people more easily transition from various stages in youth and young adult lives.  While the OMY will focus on youth, we are excited about collaborating with OFFYYA as a whole to create a more dynamic and interconnected web of ministry and outreach.

The Team

Marisally Santiago, Director

Marisally Santiago’s ministry roots extend from her teen years when her mom started a youth ministry at their parish in Kissimmee, FL (yes, Disney was her playground!). Prior to her role in Philadelphia, she served as an Associate Director at the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry with the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ where she directed Young Adult Outreach and Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry). At the same time, she served as a parish youth minister, alongside her husband, Edgar. In 2018, Marisally received her Master’s in Pastoral Ministry with a concentration on Spiritual Direction from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.

Marisally has served as interim secretary for La Red (National Catholic Network of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana) and is currently the Champion for Focus Area 3, Understand and Engage Youth as Protagonist, of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).

Outside of ministry, Marisally enjoys adventuring and “chilling” with her husband of 21 years, flavorful food, the company of friends and family, spiritual books, and music (the more percussion, the better). As an island girl from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, she also loves a solid dose of sand, sun, and seawater.

Jennifer O’Neill, Associate Director

Jennifer O’Neill is a member of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Springfield and a graduate of Immaculata University. Her many experiences range from working as a recreation assistant in geriatric care to teaching elementary school students. 

As the Associate Director for the Office for Ministry with Youth, Jennifer is grateful to be a prayerful and active support to our Ministers with Youth, pastors, and parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

In her off-time, Jennifer enjoys rooting for the city of Philadelphia’s awesome sports teams, especially the Phillies and the Eagles. As a lover of music and podcasts, she enjoys listening to a variety of different genres while exploring Philly and its surrounding suburbs. 

One of Jennifer’s favorite saints is St. Josephine Bakhita, who reminds us, “Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!”