Brooke Dubay
Attending Notre Dame was a dream that began as a little girl for senior Brooke Dubay. Her grandmother had passed along her love for the school and its principles, and after she died when Brooke was young, it became Brooke’s mission to attend. When a cancer diagnosis in high school threatened to derail her dreams, Brooke felt the strength of her grandmother walking alongside her, just in time to receive her acceptance letter.
“Then… the letter came—and I got in! But the moment that changed everything was when the financial aid letter arrived. I could come to Notre Dame! My dream, my promise, was finally a reality. Now that I am approaching graduation from Our Lady’s University, I look back on my incredible experiences with gratitude.”
Advent is a season of waiting, of daring to hope in the middle of darkness. Sometimes hope feels distant. We ache, we pray, we whisper for Emmanuel to come near. And then, in a moment we could never manufacture, the waiting ends. Hope breathes in a manger. The world brightens. As we wait again this Advent, where do we find ourselves looking for hope?
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You are a true Domer, Brooke…in your faith, courage and resilience. Just like your grandmother. Go ☘️
“…Hope breathes in a manger.” Lovely & pregnant w the hope and Peace of Christ!”
Thank you for sharing your story which is giving me hope for a loved one to recover from serious illness.
I would have loved to have been a student there. I find hope in Our Lady and her students of her Son
What an inspiring story Brooke! May your story inspire those who are waiting – knowing that answers are on their way ! So happy your prayers were answered ! Good luck on your last semester at ND, and all the very best to you and your future endeavors!
Hope trails alongside me like my best friend no matter how desperate I might feel. These words of Sister Macrina Wiedekehr, OSB, capture the hope we have in God no matter the circumstances.
Your story is a testament of true faith and courage for beating the odds. Your grandmother is smiling. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.
Beautiful. Patience and belief in God, made your dream come true
Brooke
What a beautiful story of determination and a way to honor your grandmother . I’m SURE she watches over you and is beyond proud of you for your faith, accomplishments and your will to overcome the cancer to fulfill your dreams. I too am a cancer survivor .
Bless you 🍀
It is not so much the status of attending ND, It is the spiritual aura and sense of family that is immersed in every aspect of this blessed institution. My husband has two degrees from ND and played football for 4 years under Parseghian. I am grateful to enjoy even this peripheral association.
I was fortunate to be Brooke’s nurse practitioner and see her conquer all with grace. She is an incredible young woman and is destined to help others in her life’s journey. I too have been touched by the Holy Cross order which occurred so randomly that it could only be divine intervention. May Brooke’s will and strength provide inspiration to others. With gratitude—
I’m so happy for you and every other student who was privileged enough to attend the University of Our Lady of the Lake.
May you to be a remarkable sign of the God who loves us without measure and without regret!
Thank you for sharing your story so well. As a fellow ND alum, Walsh woman, and cancer survivor, I am in awe of your strength!
Beautiful story!!
Thank you for sharing your story of strength, courage and grace, Brook… you are an inspiration to us all and an example of how to walk in God’s footsteps!
Dear Brooke,
What a beautiful testimony. Our family has been listening to the Sacred Stories for years and two of our children are recent graduates.
Your story of conquering struggle – filled with faith, fortitude, grace and humility – so elegantly delivered is among the most memorable we’ve ever heard.
Stay strong, pray the Rosary, and continue to do good while doing well at ND. We will pray for you too.
John, Rosemary, Emilia, and Matthew McManus
NB. Cheers to the ND Alumni Association for consistently sourcing out and delivering, time after time, such beautifully elegant faith filled stories for our contemplation and gratification. Thank you.
May God continue to bless you and your wonderful Mom! Thanks for sharing your story!
“Hope breathes in a manger!” Thank you for sharing your hope-filled story. May Our Lady and your grandmother continue to embrace you in their care.
God bless you, Brooke. Your grandmother and mom are proud of you for your belief, faith, and trust. Go Irish!
You are courageous and wise beyond your years. I hope that your future involves a career in the health professions. What an inspiration you would be.
Love your strength and love! Notre Dame community is so proud of you!
Brooke, Thank you for sharing, God Bless your Family and your Grandmom….Go IRISH!!!!
Thank you for sharing☘️💚☘️
All praise be to the Lord and your faith for your success!
You are blessed because of your strong belief and relationship with Jesus and His Mother. May they continue to guide and Bless your life. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story of love, loss, and hope.
Dear Brooke,
I listened twice to your beautiful commentary! So moving, not just for an hour or for a day, but yes, for a lifetime! F. R. Lalor
Thank you Brooke. ND’72
Brooke, touching story, thank you for sharing and congratulations on your incredible journey…no doubt your grandmother is proud! Have a great holiday season and senior year!
God bless you Brooke,
Your story radiates me as a cancer survivor, a retired nurse, a mother of four (2 of them CA survivors, and as the wife of a 53’ ND grad, mother of 4 ND alums, a grandmother of an ND grad, and a daughter-in-law of an ND alum.
You and Yours, me and Mine, WE ARE ALL NOTRE DAME FAMILY!
Thank you for sharing your story and wishing you a holy Advent and Christmas seasons and keep telling your story.
Marilyn Woidat
Thank you for sharing your very touching and beautiful story. I, much like your grandmother, am an Irish Catholic lover of all things Notre Dame. I survived stage 4 soft tissue sarcoma and my granddaughter is currently a sophomore at ND and to this day I believe it was the prayer she spoke out loud at the age of 3 that saved me.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful and hopeful story. Go IRISH!
Thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration to all. Prayers with you.
Thank you for your inspiration and your beautiful story of your relationship with your Grandmother!
That was just beautiful! My heart is full with your love, courage and hope. May God continue to bless you richly.
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Brooke for sharing your story.
Brooke, as your Dad, who watched you grow with resiliency and passion, I want you to know we are tremendously proud of the woman you have become. No bump or mountain stands in your way. May God grace us as you end your chapter in Notre Dame but forge through to your ultimate purpose in life. I’m excited for you beautiful.
God Bless you and your family, young lady.
What a truly remarkable story you have Brooke. The Notre Dame Family is so lucky to have you! Thank you for sharing the hope and faith you showed growing up and realizing your dream. God certainly shines down on you and your family. Best of luck this semester and in whatever you choose to do after graduation. You will be a success as we all know you! Irish Forever!
What a beautiful story. I’m a grandma and my granddaughter is a freshman at St Mary’s. I’m so proud of her and hope she appreciates how she got to go there. Your story was so special.