Tania (Antonia) Yanez – Director
Tania was born in Mexico. Her family moved to Austin, TX in 1982 and has remained in the area ever since. She has worked in finance and public service for 22 years with Travis County after graduating from Texas State University.
Home Parish: Our Lady of Guadalupe – Austin, TX
First ACTS Retreat and Service: January 2015. Served on three Spanish teams, twice as co-director, and held Core roles.
Fun Facts: Loves crafting, party decor, and coordinating decorations for the parish’s Jamaica festival.
Favorite Saint: Saint Anthony of Padua
Favorite Scripture: Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Phone: 512-554-5846
Rueben Parra – Co Director
Rueben was born and raised in Lockhart, TX. He is a tradesman in welding and has worked in building and manufacturing for 21 years. Married to Gloria Parra for 27 years with 4 children.
Home Parish: St. Anthony Marie de Claret Catholic Church
First ACTS Retreat and Service: 2014. Served in adult and teen ACTS teams and as Core team facilitator.
Fun Facts: Self-taught BBQ pitmaster and a fan of monster trucks and low riders.
Favorite Saint: Saint Anthony of Padua
Favorite Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Lisa Resendez – Communications
Lisa was born in Kingsville, TX and moved to Austin in 1982. Married to Victor with 7 children and 8 grandchildren. Works at Dell Technologies for over 23 years.
Home Parish: St. Patrick’s of Hutto, TX
First ACTS Retreat and Service: 2006. Served on teams and Core at St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Participated in a mission trip to Kentucky.
Fun Facts: Visited 48 U.S. states and 21 countries.
Favorite Saints: St. Monica and St. Maria Goretti
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you… to give you a future of hope.”
Phone: 512-576-0578
Stephanie Sanchez -Finance
Born and raised in Austin, Texas. She graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown Texas and is now a litigation paralegal with the law firm of Jackson Walker, LLP. When possible, she enjoys visiting her son and daughter-in-law in Houston and having dinner with her adult daughter.
Home Parish: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Austin, TX
First ACTS Retreat and Service: A retreatant in 2009, she has served since 2010 as Music Director, Co-Director and Spiritual Companion on English, Spanish, Mission and Parish retreats.
Fun Facts: Loves dogs more, but owns a cat; enjoys sewing, cooking, reading books by Saints of the Catholic Church and watching SciFi & adventure movies.
Favorite Saints: Saint Theresa of Avila
Favorite Scripture: Psalms 27:1
“The Lord is my Light and my salvation, of whom shall I be afraid?”
Phone: 512-466-0437
Daniel Riley
Born in El Paso, moved to Austin in 1999. Married with a teenage son.
Home Parish: St. Louis King of France, Austin, TX
First ACTS Retreat and Service: 2015. Served as lead, co-director, and on Core. Participated in missions to Missouri.
Fun Facts: Loves cooking for large groups.
Favorite Saint: St. Lawrence
Favorite Scripture: John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
Phone: 512-791-3664
Jaime Guzman
Born in Durango, Mexico. Moved to Austin in 1992. Married with two children. Works in inventory at Austin Community College.
Home Parish: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pflugerville, TX
First ACTS Retreat and Service: 2013. Co-director and lead on several teams. Active in Spanish prayer group, baptism classes, and pastoral council.
Fun Facts: Enjoys family time, travel, soccer, and football.
Favorite Saint: St. Francis of Assisi
Favorite Scripture: Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”
Antonio Guadalupe Martinez (Tony)
Tony was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Tx. In 1981, after high school, moved to San Marcos, Tx. to attend Southwest Texas State university. Moved to Austin, TX in 1986 and has remained ever since. In 1992, helped start up and retired from the Texas Lottery Commission and currently works for the Travis County Tax office.
Phone: (512) 934-8647
Home Parish: Our Lady of Guadalupe – Austin, TX
First ACTS Retreat and Service: March 2010. Served on four OLG parish men’s teams, once as director. Served on two OLG parish Teen Acts teams, once as co-director. Served on five mission teams including St. Ignatius parish, and parishes in Andice, Temple, Bastrop and Manor. Served on OLG Core.
Fun Facts: Loves golf, saltwater wade fishing, and has been a member of a University of Texas football tailgating crew for over 15 years.
Favorite Saint: Saint Michael the Archangel.
Favorite Scripture: 1 John 3:18
“Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth”