Ava Hall
As a teenager, something changed inside sophomore Ava Hall the first time she read Soul Surfer, a memoir by competitive surfer Bethany Hamilton. After being attacked by a shark, Bethany lost her arm and nearly lost her surfing dreams, too. The powerful story caused Ava to rethink her faith and God’s role in her life, ultimately converting to Catholicism and making the spiritual space in her life to be led to Notre Dame.
“When discerning colleges, every road led to Notre Dame. Since arriving in 2024, daily Mass, faith-filled friendships, and constant reminders of God’s presence have shaped me. Here, I feel at home—free to be fully myself—thankful every day for the way God reveals his goodness at Notre Dame and beyond.”
Advent reminds us that Christ breaks into human history—into our routines and expectations—and invites us to be changed. The Christ child disrupts our ordinary patterns and calls us to conversion again and again. No matter our religious background or faith tradition, we are invited to welcome this unexpected Messiah and allow his coming to transform our lives.
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Absolutely beautiful, thank you for sharing Ava , God bless you, Ed class of 85
Sweet story on your blessed journey!
☘️ 🙏🏼 Best wishes ahead! 💫
Thank you for sharing this beautiful, inspirational faith story. May God continue to bless you each and every day.
this is who we are – we are Notre Dame.
beautiful story
Thank you for sharing your story with us. You spoke so clearly from your heart to my heart. Merry Christmas.
Pray God transforms me and my family in every area of our lives that needs changing during this Advent season. Praying that these transformations have us prepared for the celebration of the coming Baby Jesus. Pray that we remain prepared, with our lamps trimmed and burning for His second coming. Amen!
Ava, yours is a beautiful faith and a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you Ava for sharing your beautiful life with us 💞… you INSPIRED ME!
I’M a cradle Catholic and so I just took it for granted, Catholic grade school then public high school 🏫.
Just didn’t have any interest in church and GOD.It finally hit me in 1995 surrendered myself to God and I am so happy for you 😇🙏💯.
My daughter, name Bethany, gave birth to a daughter 20 years ago and her daughter was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her right arm. She has gone through years of physical therapy and thank God pretty much has full use of her arm. This took place about the same time as Bethany Hamilton accident and they followed closely her journey through life after that accident.
Thank you for sharing your touching story. May God continue to bless you. Michelle
Just a heads up that you have a typo in the description of Sacred Stories of Notre Dame Day 24.
In the video, Ava Hall says “When discerning colleges, every road led to Notre Dame. Since arriving in 2024, daily Mass, faith-filled friendships, and constant reminders of God’s presence have shaped me.” But the accompanying text reads “When discerning colleges, every road led to Notre Dame. Since arriving in 2023…”
I love these daily Advent videos and I will miss them when Christmas Day arrives. Merry Christmas to the entire University of Notre Dame family! 🎄☘️
Ray Feldmann
Annapolis, MD
(Father of Connor Feldmann, Notre Dame class of 2029)
Ava. dear,
Praise God for calling you and for your acceptance of His call.
Each of us have a beautiful story to share of our hearing Him , and following Him.
Thank you and enjoy your Notre Dame experience , it is a blessing!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Marilyn Woidat, a Domer by marriage and our 6 other ones!
Thank you for this beautiful story of coming into the church and your faith story. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with us.
Beautiful. Thank you Ava. ND’72