St. Paul and St. George Churches Remember Legacy of Sisters, Celebrate Partnership Renewal

Sister Kathleen Bahlinger CSJ and Sister Lory Schaff CSJ, both deceased, devoted 23 years of their lives ministering in the Eden Park community in Baton Rouge. They walked the streets and provided people with material assistance, an education, and hope.

St. Paul the Apostle Church, which is in the heart of the Eden Park Community, and St. George Church continue the sister’s legacy of service through a partnership renewal.

St. Paul Church was filled with people, including Sister Kathleen’s family, at a Mass remembering the sisters and celebrating the partnership renewal on July 13. Father Arockiam Arockiam, pastor of St. Paul, and Father Paul Yi, pastor of St. George, concelebrated the Mass.
 Clergy participating in the Mass were, from left, Deacon Terry Bellon, of St. George, Father Arockiam Arockiam, pastor of St. Paul, and Father Paul Yi, pastor of St. George.In his Mass homily, Father Arockiam referred to Sister Kathleen and Sister Lory as missionaries and “the heartbeat” of St. Paul and the Eden Park community.

Alluding to that day’s Gospel reading from Luke 10:25-37 of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Father Arockiam noted the sisters were like the inkeeper. The sisters, with the support of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, used their resources to provide ongoing care for those in need. From 1983-2006 they built up the St. Paul community and established the St. Paul Adult Learning Center (SPALC, which is now permanently closed).

“They never looked at whether they were Black, whether they were White, whether they were Hispanic, whether they were Asian,” said Father Arockiam.  “They looked at it as ‘These are the people of God, they need our service.’”

“Many of my elders here still remember Sister Kathleen, they still remember Sister Lory, they still remember Miss Barbara (Bahlinger, Sister Kathleen’s sister, who was present).”

He added, “And they talk about the learning center just because they crossed the (racial) boundaries.”

Daisey Johnson recalls that Sister Kathleen and Sister Lory visited with residents and encouraged them to come to SPALC.Sister Kathleen Bahlinger CSJ
Sister Lorry Schaff CSJJohnson went to St. Paul Adult Learning Center in the 1980s for refresher courses in Math and English. She became a teaching assistant at SPALC and then participated in the Workforce Development Job Shadowing Program at the Baton Rouge General Hospital and the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance. She worked for Gulf South Health Plans until she retired.

“Whatever needed to be done, they were always there, said Johnson. “The school was a beacon of life, not only for the students, but for their family and community when they were in pain. The sisters were always there with us when there was joy, when we were going through things with our family and children. They were always there for the community and spoke up for what was right. They walked the life that Jesus Christ brought to his people and took care of their people.”

Sister Joan LaPlace CSJ reflected on the important work of Sister Kathleen and Sister Lory.

“Sister Kathleen and Sister Lory were fully committed to social justice work, especially in the African American community in Baton Rouge and New Orleans,” said Sister Joan.

Sister Joan stated the sisters began their religious lives as excellent high school teachers. Both saw the great need for basic literacy to the poor, especially among many African Americans living in poverty.Daisey Johnson, seated, and a student at the St. Paul Adult Learning Center. Photo provided by Daisey Johnson.

“After a successful career as teacher and administrator, Sister Kathleen began teaching in New Orleans in the 1980s at Hope House in the St. Thomas Project, a program founded by Sister Lory in 1969 to offer adult education to those who lived in or near the project.

Together the two collaborated to create a similar adult education program in Baton Rouge at St. Francis Xavier Parish and opened St. Paul's Adult Learning Center,” said Sister Joan.

She added, “The garden dedicated to Sister Kathleen's memory at St. Paul is a tribute to her own love of gardening and all of nature.”

Monique Scott-Spaulding volunteers at St. Paul in various roles as an officer on the council. Her most cherished memories are about the Sister Kathleen and Sister Lory’s work in the community and the SPALC.

“The opportunity to celebrate the remarkable and life changing work of Sisters Kathleen Bahlinger and Lory Schaff was a wonderful experience filled with tears of joy remembering their work and how they united the community of Baton Rouge both North and South to bring education, workforce development, and jobs with livable wages to the Eden Park community,” she said.

The Mass attendees expressed jubilation over the partnership renewal between St. Paul and St. George.
The Sister Kathleen Bahlinger Memorial Garden at St. Paul Church.
The original partnership between St. Paul and St. George was established in 1994 when Father Ranzino was pastor of St. George Church and Father Joseph Guidry SVD was pastor at St. Paul Church. The churches collaborated on providing material assistance and accompanying those in need in the St. Paul and Eden Park Community. Over the years, the partnership dissolved.

In September 2024 the idea of reestablishing the partnership emerged. Former St. George School principal Ann Bertsch, other St. George parishioners, and Father Paul Yi moved forward with it. They contacted Father Arockiam, who enthusiastically received the idea. 

“I see the partnership as a blessing for both parishes for every project that we have,” said Bertsch.
Members of the St. Paul and St. George Partnership Committee, from left, Monique Scott-Spaulding, Johnny Schittone , Michelle Net. Ann Bertsch, Tabatha Hamilton 
and Rudolph Richard, Jr. Father Yi said the partnership renewal is more than just a collaboration. 

“I feel like it's a reunion of two faith communities that share a deep history and a common mission, said Father Yi. “Over 35 years ago, our parishes walked together in service and fellowship; today, we are blessed to rekindle that spirit with renewed energy and purpose.

“Through our shared efforts—whether supporting the St. Paul Adult Learning Center in the past, collecting school supplies for local children, or stocking a pantry for a family in need—we are reminded that Christ is present wherever love is put into action.”

Father Yi has been deeply moved by the warmth and openness of their gatherings. He’s witnessed parishioners from both communities coming together in prayer, conversation, and service.

“I believe this partnership is a sign of hope, not only for our parishes but for the broader community,” said Father Yi. “It shows what is possible when we listen, serve, and grow together. I look forward to all that God has in store for us as we continue this journey together.”