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Servants of the Spirit

Become a
Servant of the Spirit

Are you on fire after attending an ACTS Retreat? Can’t wait to share the experience with others? Share your joy as we are called to go forth and serve our community by becoming a Servant of the Spirit.

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Supporting the Future of ACTS Retreats

For more than 30 years, ACTS Missions has been dedicated to helping people experience God’s love through ACTS Retreats. The ACTS Retreat is more than a weekend, it is a lifelong invitation into deeper adoration, community, theology, and service.

What is Servants of the Spirit?

Servants of the Spirit is the ACTS Missions monthly giving community, created for those who feel called to sustain this apostolate and ensure that ACTS Retreats continue to ignite faith across the world. 

Not all of us can leave our homes and go to distant places, but all of us can become spiritual missionaries and share the work of evangelization.

Your monthly commitment allows ACTS Missions to:

  • Train and support new retreat teams
  • Provide scholarships for mission teams, retreatants, and clergy
  • Expand ACTS into new dioceses and countries

Become a
Servant of the Spirit

If ACTS has awakened your faith, healed your heart, or strengthened your community, consider extending that blessing to others.

Servants of the Spirit give from a place of gratitude, a desire to see others encounter Christ, and a trust that God multiplies every act of generosity.

We invite you to partner in mission by:

  • Committing to a rosary and/or an hour of adoration each month for the work of ACTS Missions to spread the ACTS Retreat
  • Encouraging at least one person per year to attend an ACTS Retreat in their parish
  • Contributing a minimum of $10 monthly

Together, we continue the mission: Adoration. Community. Theology. Service.

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Community Beyond the Weekend

ACTS is, at its core, community.

The retreat changes lives because it draws people into communion with God and with one another.

Servants of the Spirit extends that community beyond the retreat weekend, connecting you to thousands of brothers and sisters whose lives have been touched by ACTS and who now walk this mission together. We keep the fire burning by spiritually supporting those encountering Christ for the first time and financially accompanying parishes as they bring ACTS Retreats to their people.

Join Online

You may join online by credit card and sign up for automatic monthly or annual payments by clicking the button below.

ACTS Missions is a non-profit exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code: Ein 74-2860112.

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Join By Mail

You may also register by mailing a check or money order to:

ACTS Missions
ATTN: Mission Advancement Dept.
7711 Madonna Drive
Suite 200
San Antonio, TX 78216

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Missionary Award

Mik & Carol Stehling experienced the life-changing impact of ACTS retreats over 30 years ago. As ACTS alumni continue saying yes to generosity, the missionary spirit will continue reaching generations to come.

St. Therese the Little Flower

THE PATRON SAINT OF SERVANTS OF THE SPIRIT

St. Therese the Little Flower is the patron saint of Servants of the Spirit because of her simple and direct commitment to the tasks and people that she encountered in her everyday life. As Servants of the Spirit, we commit ourselves to simple prayer, extending an invitation for others to share in Christ’s love, and a monthly financial contribution to further the mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

HELP SPREAD THE WORD

Would you like to help spread the word of Servants of the Spirit? If so, then click the button below. By clicking” Spread the Word” you will be redirected to an email. Please provide us with your contact information and someone from our team will contact you soon.

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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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