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ACTS Retreats Now in Seven Countries!

ACTS Missions is overjoyed to announce that ACTS Retreats are now officially present in seven countries around the world. Praise God! On February 4, 2026, San Pedro Roman Catholic Church in San Pedro Town, Ambergris...

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Deborah’s Desk – December 2022

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, May the Holy Spirit envelop you in the anticipation and preparation of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ...

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Esmer Gutierrez 

Store Clerk 

Esmer Gutierrez is the Store Clerk. With over 20 years of customer service experience, Esmer brings warmth and attentiveness to everyone she serves. Her favorite part of working at the ACTS Store is the genuine sense of family among the staff. When she’s not at work, Esmer loves spending time with her dog, Escobart, exploring new foods, and traveling.

Valerie Montez

Store Manager

Valerie Montez is our Store Manager. For the past decade, Valerie has guided the growth and operations of the ACTS Store with dedication and heart. A graduate of Texas A&M University–San Antonio with a degree in Business Management, Valerie treasures the family-like environment that defines the ACTS Missions team. Outside of work, she enjoys being with her family. She also spends time gardening, crafting, sewing, and all things DIY — always bringing the same creativity and care she shares with our apostolate each day.

Sylvia Ortiz

Accounting Manager 

Sylvia Ortiz is our Accounting Manager. Sylvia is a proud San Antonio native who brings a wealth of experience to her role. She worked at USAA for over 20 years and, last week, celebrated her 13th anniversary of working at ACTS Missions! Sylvia explains that attending an ACTS Retreat was a turning point in her life — it brought her back to the Church after several decades away.

Sylvia loves working at ACTS Missions because it allows her to serve her Catholic faith through meaningful work. When she’s not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys Tejano dancing, traveling, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys!

Norma Gorley

Receptionist

Norma Gorley is our beloved Receptionist. She is a proud San Antonian. Before joining ACTS Missions, she worked for over 20 years at the City Public Service Board and Generations Federal Credit Union.

Norma attended her first ACTS Retreat in 2004 and shares that it opened her eyes to “what an amazing God we serve.” She now finds great joy in her role at ACTS Missions, where her favorite parts of the day include greeting everyone who walks through the door and when the staff assembles for prayer time each morning.

When she’s not working, Norma loves spending time with her husband and daughter. She also enjoys singing and dancing for fun!

Deborah Ann Alaniz

Executive Director

Deborah Ann Alaniz is the Executive Director of ACTS Missions. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Deborah has proudly called the city home her entire life. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Trinity University.

Deborah began her journey with ACTS in 2004, where she discovered that she didn’t have to wait to be asked to serve — she could take the initiative to be active in her parish community. Since then, she has been involved in youth ministry, OCIA, and now OCIC.

After many years working in education, Deborah now brings her leadership and passion to ACTS Missions. She shares that she has “learned over the years to thank God for the blessings He gives me, along with the challenges that teach me to love Him, serve Him, and know Him in the ways He needs me to.”

When she’s not working, Deborah enjoys watching K-dramas and spending time with her mom and best friend.

Ava Landa Sedano

Education and Communications Coordinator

Ava Landa Sedano is our Education and Communications Coordinator, originally from Corpus Christi, Texas. Before attending her first ACTS Retreat, she considered herself close to Jesus as a cradle Catholic. However, she shares that her retreat experience was truly transformative, drawing her even closer to Christ and to her faith community.
 
Since then, Ava has served at her home parish of St. Francis of Assisi in San Antonio as both a team member on English and Spanish retreats and an ACTS Core member. She also became a Spiritual Companion through the program at the Oblate School of Theology. Ava feels very blessed to serve at ACTS Missions and finds it awe-inspiring to hear how these retreats continue to positively impact so many lives.
 
When she’s not at work, Ava enjoys spending time with her family and her best furry friend Grizzle—her fun-loving Chiweenie pup.

Patty Zambrano

Education and Marketing Coordinator

Patty Zambrano is our Education and Marketing Coordinator. A San Antonio native, she has also lived in Colorado, Florida, and California. Patty brings a wealth of experience, holding a marketing degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and having worked with a California advertising agency behind Taco Bell’s famous Chihuahua campaign and the iconic phrase “Yo quiero Taco Bell.”

 

Patty is deeply passionate about ACTS Retreats, crediting them with bringing her and her family closer to the Catholic Church during her adult life. She has served on mission retreats, been a member of the ACTS Core, and participated on many retreat teams at her parish, Our Lady of Grace, in San Antonio. Outside of work, she enjoys watching tennis, spending time with her family, reading and attending music concerts.

Anna Grajeda

ACTS Missions Advancement Assistant

Anna Grajeda serves as our Mission Advancement Assistant. Also a native of San Antonio, she is a proud graduate of St. Mary’s University. Her professional background includes 20 years of experience working at a non-profit Christian school. Today, Anna is thrilled to be part of the ACTS Apostolate and says her everyday interactions with the parishes and the brothers and sisters that serve HIM has been, thus far, a wonderful experience! Having attended her first ACTS Retreat many years ago, she believes God has lovingly guided her path toward serving Him. She often shares that the Lord has always been good to her, and she brings that deep faith and gratitude into her work every day.

When Anna is not working, she loves to read, spend time with her family, and watch documentaries and cooking/baking competitive shows.

Erika Solis

ACTS Missions Chapter Manager

Erika Solis is originally from Laredo, Texas, and joined ACTS Missions in 2024. She loves working with ACTS because it gives her the opportunity to grow in her faith and answer God’s call through the ACTS apostolate. Since attending her first ACTS retreat, Erika has cherished the hope, compassion, and faith she has found—and she enjoys sharing these gifts with her family. She has served on parish and mission teams for English and Spanish retreats, and she has served her parish Core at Sacred Heart in San Antonio, Texas.

In addition to her work with ACTS, Erika is a tax preparer, notary, and certified zumba instructor! When she’s not working, Erika loves to dance, listen to music, and enjoy outdoor activities. 

Frinee Sabella

ACTS Missions Lead Chapter Manager

Frinee Sabella, our Lead Chapter Manager, is one of the most senior members of the ACTS Missions staff. Frinee grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, where she studied to become a medical doctor. In addition to her medical background, she also serves as a Spiritual Director and works as a Realtor. Frinee shares that attending her first ACTS Retreat opened her heart to live a Christ-centered life and serve others with love. Since then, she has helped many people encounter Christ by serving on numerous parish and mission retreats in both English and Spanish. 

When she’s not working, Frinee enjoys reading, arts and crafts, music, and watching Korean dramas.

Michael Primrose

ACTS Missions Chapter Manager

Chapter Manager Michael Primrose brings a remarkable abundance of knowledge and experience to the team. Originally from Louisiana, Mike attended his first ACTS retreat as a retreatant in 2007, an experience he says profoundly changed his life. Since then, he has served on numerous teams for his parish and later participated in many mission retreats to help bring ACTS to parishes throughout the Diocese of Austin. Eventually, Mike helped form the Chapter of Austin and went on to serve as the Chapter Director. Today, he enjoys collaborating with other Chapter directors and receiving calls from volunteers, offering answers to their questions and words of encouragement.

When Mike isn’t working, he stays active in his parish, St. Anthony Marie de Claret in Kyle, Texas. He also enjoys exploring state parks across Texas with his camper and discovering new communities along the way.

Diana Aguirre Martinez

ACTS Mission Advancement and Events Manager

Diana Aguirre Martinez is our Mission Advancement and Events Manager. She is a lifelong San Antonian whose first ACTS Retreat sparked a deep sense of joy and purpose that continues to shape her life and career. She holds both a BA and an MA from the University of the Incarnate Word and brings over 20 years of experience in development and fundraising to ACTS Missions. Throughout her career, Diana has helped secure more than $30 million in funding, including significant contributions toward the restoration of the historic San Antonio Missions. Her commitment to mission-driven work and her dedication to community make her an invaluable part of the ACTS Missions team.

Outside of work, Diana loves spending time with her family and her beloved pets, and enjoys traveling with her closest friends.

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