The patron saint of our parish was born in Avila, Spain, in 1515. As a girl, she struggled with some of the same issues confronting today's young people - balancing her love of God with a need for friends and fun. As a teenager, she was more interested in boys than religion. When Teresa was 16, her father sent her to a convent, which she hated at first. Eventually, she began to feel closer to God. But still, she felt that she was prone to sin, which may be why she eventually chose life at the convent over marriage as a way to avoid temptation. Even so, Teresa had a hard time relinquishing worldly pleasures. Her mind strayed when she prayed, and she had difficulty focusing on God, enjoying the company of visitors more. But she was determined and persistent, and God rewarded her. As time passed, Teresa grew deeper in her faith, and began experiencing visions. She realized that she could help other nuns overcome the challenges she had faced, and founded the Discalced (meaning "without shoes," to symbolize simplicity) Carmelites, an order that focused on a return to mental prayer and a basic way of life, excluding personal interests. St. Teresa was an ordinary woman who rose to greatness as a teacher and writer. One of only two women named a Doctor in the Church, her teachings advocated the importance of asking God for the ability to do good rather than to just pray without action. Two of her most famous writings, Interior Castle and Way of Perfection, have served as a source of inspiration for centuries. St. Teresa of Avila died in 1582. Her feast day is celebrated on October 15th.