Sr. Lorena's sudden death was a shock to the staff of AFJN and to all her colleagues on the AFJN Board of Directors.  Associate Director, Phil Reed, was able to represent AFJN at the wake and funeral on July 8 and 9. All members and friends of AFJN are encouraged to pray for Sr. Lorena, her family and her religious community during this time.  We count as well on Sr. Lorena's prayers and on her continuing advocacy for justice for Africa. 

Fr. Rocco Puopolo and the Board sent the following letter to the Great Bend, Kansas Dominicans:

Great Bend Dominican Community
3600 Broadway
Great Bend KS 67530-3692
 

Dear Sister Rene Weeks, Sisters and Family of Lorena Bolte, OP,       

Our sincere and prayerful condolences to you as you grieve the loss of your Prioress and sister, Lorena. We can only begin to imagine the shock and sadness of her death to you, members of her community, and her family.

Lorena was a very generous and important member of our Africa Faith and Justice Network Board.  We know how much she loved Africa and its people and how her love was expressed in her contributions to the efforts of AFJN.

Together we mourn the death of a dedicated and very lovely friend. We will miss her terribly.  We count on her new advocacy in the presence of the One that she served so long and so well. We join all of you to thank God for Lorena and pray for her peace and the peace of all of her family members, including members of her religious family, and her friends.

A quote from Tagore comes to mind: "Death is not extinguishing the Light: it is putting out the Lamp because the Dawn has come."
 

With loving and prayerful sympathy,

Fr.  Robert Dowd CSC, AFJN Board President

Sr. Jo’Anne DeQuattro, SNJM, Vice President

Sr. Clarita Hanson SHCJ, Secretary/Treasuer,

Fr. Norbert Brockman, SM  Board Member

Dr. Michael Gable,  Board Member

Mr. John Kleiderer, Board Member

Ms. Lacey Haussamen, Board Member

Sr. Elizabeth Kolmer, ASC, Board Member

Sr. Connie Krautkremer, MM, Board Member

Sr. Ann Oestreich IHM, Board Member

 Fr. Chris Promis CSSp, Board Member

Mr. Trevor Rodrigues, Board Member

Sr. Madeline Therese Wilhoit, CSC  Board Member

Fr. Luigi Zanotto MCCJ, Board Member

Fr. Rocco Puopolo, s.x. Executive Director

Mr. Phil Reed, Associate Director