Our Mission
The Catholic School Chaplains of Ontario (CSCO) is a professional association that supports, advocates for, and develops Chaplaincy Leaders serving in Ontario Catholic schools.
“To foster and promote the spiritual, moral, and personal development of all members of the Catholic school community through the ministry of chaplaincy.”
Our Values
- Faith: Rooted in Catholic tradition, we bring the Gospel to life in our schools.
- Service: We are called to serve the whole person — students, staff, and families.
- Community: We build belonging and connection in the school community.
- Excellence: We pursue professional growth and continuous improvement in our ministry.
- Advocacy: We stand for the importance of chaplaincy in publicly funded Catholic education.
- Collaboration: We work alongside school boards, the Church, and community partners.
Our Role
Chaplaincy Leaders in Ontario Catholic schools are appointed by their school board to provide pastoral care, religious programming, and spiritual support to students and staff. They plan liturgies, lead prayer, run retreats, support students in crisis, and connect the school to the broader Church community.
CSCO provides the professional framework, advocacy, and collegial network that enables Chaplaincy Leaders to do this work effectively and faithfully.
History of CSCO
CSCO was founded in 1988 by a small group of dedicated Chaplaincy Leaders who recognized the need for a professional association to support their ministry. Over nearly four decades, CSCO has grown to represent Chaplaincy Leaders in all 29 Ontario Catholic school boards, holding an annual conference, publishing a regular newsletter, and maintaining strong partnerships with ICE, OCSTA, ACBO, and other Catholic education organizations.