Life doesn't always unfold the way we expect.

For Amanda, the loss of her father changed everything. The grief she experienced left her feeling isolated, questioning God, and drifting away from her faith.

Yet years later, what began as a season of pain became the beginning of a renewed relationship with God.

Amanda's Faith Forward story is a reminder that even when we feel far from God, He never stops inviting us back to Him.

When Grief Led Amanda Away from God

"When my dad passed, I strayed away from God."

For many people, grief brings difficult questions. Why would God allow suffering? Why do bad things happen to good people? Where is God when life hurts?

Amanda wrestled with those questions after losing her father.

"I felt alone and isolated, and that after everything I had been through, why did God take my father away from me?"

The pain of loss caused her to pull away from the faith that had once been part of her life. For years, she carried that grief while feeling distant from God and the Church.

Finding Her Way Back

It wasn't until six years later that Amanda felt drawn back to her faith.

"It wasn't until this past year, after the 6th anniversary, that I found myself returning to the Catholic Church."

While continuing to struggle with grief, depression, and anxiety, she found herself turning toward God instead of away from Him.

"I have been struggling with my grief, depression, and anxiety, and for some reason, I turned to church."

What started as a simple return became a journey of healing.

Amanda began praying the Rosary again and listening to the Bible in a Year podcast. Through prayer and Scripture, she discovered a deeper understanding of God and His presence in suffering.

"It was then that I learned so much more about God than I had originally [known.]"

Finding Comfort in God's Story

One of the things that impacted Amanda most was realizing she wasn't alone.

Throughout Scripture, she encountered people who faced grief, uncertainty, suffering, and loss—people whose stories reflected parts of her own.

"I heard people go through similar struggles as me in the Bible, and I felt comforted."

The Bible reminded her that God has always been present with His people through their hardships. Rather than finding judgment, Amanda found understanding, hope, and encouragement.

Growing Closer to God

As Amanda continued returning to prayer and the Church, she began to see her faith differently.

"I began to set foot on a new path and grew my relationship with the Catholic Church and God."

Her story is a powerful reminder that faith journeys are rarely linear. Sometimes people drift away. Sometimes life circumstances create distance. But God continues to pursue us with patience and love.

Help More Students Stay Connected to Their Faith

Amanda's story is a powerful reminder that faith journeys are rarely linear. Life can bring grief, uncertainty, and challenges that leave young people feeling alone or disconnected from God.

Yet Amanda's story also shows what can happen when someone finds their way back to the Church and discovers a deeper relationship with Christ.

At Newman Connection, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to stay connected to their faith during life's biggest transitions. Through the Faith Forward movement, we help students connect with Catholic communities where they can find support, belonging, and opportunities to grow closer to God.

Stories like Amanda's are why this mission matters.

Your support helps us reach more students before they arrive on campus, connect them with Catholic communities, and remind them that they are never alone in their faith journey.

If you believe no student should have to navigate life's challenges without the support of a Catholic community, consider making a gift today.

Together, we can help more students encounter Christ, build lasting connections, and carry their faith forward.