Board & Staff

Parish: St. Matthew

"The call we received from the Lord to serve in the field of Catholic evangelization has been a most enlightening, inspirational and challenging vocation!"

For a biography of Pilgrim Center of Hope's co-founders, please scroll to the Staff section of this page.

Debra (Debbie) Garza is a wife, mother, and parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Catholic Church in Leon Springs. She first experienced the mission of Pilgrim Center of Hope through their Catholic Women’s Conferences over 20 years ago. She has traveled with Pilgrim Center of Hope on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Italy, Greece, and Turkey as a pilgrim, and now participates in the Ministry of Pilgrimage as a group leader for the holy sites in Italy. 

She completed the ACTS Spiritual Companion Program at the Oblate School of Theology and is active in the Ministry of Care for homebound parishioners, Small Christian Communities, ACTS Retreats, and Jail Ministry.

“I am blessed to serve on the Board of Directors and Speaker Team as I strongly believe in the Mission of Pilgrim Center of Hope. I have experienced personally as well as witnessed in others, how PCH guides people to encounter Christ through their evangelization ministries. PCH is committed to helping others experience their personal journey of faith through prayer, pilgrimage, and spiritual renewal. I am grateful to support PCH as a Missionary of Hope, walking with others as we grow stronger together in our Catholic faith.”

Victor is a husband, father, grandfather, practicing lawyer, former judge, past-President of the San Antonio Catholic Lawyers Guild, lay evangelist, Board Member of Pilgrim Center of Hope and A Woman’s Haven.

Judge Negrón became Board Certified in Family Law in 1987. As an author and presenter for various State Bar of Texas Professional Development Programs and University of Texas CLE Programs, he has helped to shape the evolution of family law in the State of Texas. Texas Monthly magazine named him a “Texas Super Lawyer,” and SA Scene Magazine recognized as one of “San Antonio’s Best Lawyers.” Among his many other recognitions are awards from the Archdiocese of San Antonio and from the San Antonio Catholic Lawyers Guild.

As a lay evangelist, Victor has served as a leader for Eucharistic Adoration of San Antonio, Inc., and has been involved with Pilgrim Center of Hope’s evangelizing activities since its early years – formerly as emcee for the Catholic Men’s Conference, and currently as a member of the PCH Board of Directors.

Patricia (Patty) Parma has been a friend and volunteer of Pilgrim Center of Hope (PCH) for over 30 years. She coordinated the ushers for the San Antonio Marian Conference co-sponsored by Pilgrim Center of Hope and served on the inaugural Catholic Women’s Conference committee where she coordinated vendors and exhibitors for 8 years. Patty took a one-year sabbatical from her associate professor/counselor position with the Alamo Colleges District to devote her time and energy to Holy Land ministry with Pilgrim Center of Hope. 

Most recently, Patty was elected President of the PCH Board of Directors where she and her colleagues are dedicated to preserving the mission and legacy of the Center well into the future. 

Patty is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She has been a parishioner and active volunteer at St. Mary’s Church (downtown) for 26 years. She retired from the Alamo Colleges District as Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Access & Success Initiatives in 2023 and was awarded Administrator Emerita status, the first administrator in Student Success to be honored with this distinction. During her 34-year tenure at the College District, she also served as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Associate Professor. 

"As so many have experienced, Pilgrim Center of Hope has guided me through my journey of hope founded in the teachings of the Catholic Church. I am blessed beyond measure by the spiritual gifts received through its ministry. It is a tremendous honor and privilege to serve on the Board of Directors and share the richness of the Catholic faith with my fellow companions on the journey."

Javier is a lifelong resident of San Antonio. He has been in the San Antonio banking industry for over 37 years, the last 18 years at Jefferson Bank. He and his wife, Stella, are parishioners at St. Monica Catholic Church in Converse, Texas. Javier serves on the St. Monica Parish Finance Council and is a member of the Knights of Columbus #9681. Javier and Stella have also been longtime parishioners and volunteers at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in San Antonio.

Javier’s involvement with Pilgrim Center of Hope (PCH) began with his first attendance at the Catholic Men’s Conference in 2014. Javier is excited and honored to serve on the PCH Board to help preserve their long-term mission and legacy of hope.

Javier and Stella have been married for 29 years. They have one son and two grandchildren.

Jeff is a retired executive from AT&T where he spent 35 years working in IT, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, and Program Management. Jeff was a 20 year resident of San Antonio before moving to Florida to support family. He and his wife were active parishioners at Holy Spirit Church.

Jeff’s involvement with Pilgrim Center of Hope (PCH) has been extensive over the last 15 years, starting with his first attendance of a Catholic Men’s Conference. He has journeyed with PCH on three separate pilgrimages (Italy, the Holy Land, and Marian shrines in Portugal & France).

Jeff says, "The pilgrimage experiences were, literally, life changing. In addition to the spiritual companionships developed with the other pilgrims, visiting sites once inhabited by Jesus, His blessed Mother and the Saints has deepened my faith and love for the Catholic Church." When he talks about PCH to others, his favorite comments is, "You can go on tours with anyone, but if you want a true pilgrimage, go with Pilgrim Center of Hope."

He is honored to be associated with PCH in any capacity.

Jeff is married to his wife, Sarah, of 44 years. They have three adult children and nine grandchildren.

Marietta C. Alba retired as a leader in the San Antonio and Austin, Texas, real estate industry; owner of Apartment & Relocation Center. She was honored as REALTOR® Broker of the Year by the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® (SABOR), served as SABOR Chairman of the Board, and as President of the San Antonio Chapter of Women’s Council of REALTORS®.

Marietta met Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox in 1993 at St. Matthew Catholic Church. She was honored to be invited to Deacon Tom’s ordination, and went on pilgrimage to a variety of holy places including the Holy Land. When Deacon Tom and Mary Jane opened Pilgrim Center of Hope, they asked Marietta to serve on the Advisory Committee. 

Active in supporting PCH fundraising initiatives, including as Co-Chairman of Rejoice In Hope 2024, Marietta has supported Pilgrim Center of Hope as a longtime benefactor. She also serves as a Prayer Intercessor in addition to serving on the Advisory Council. 

Parish: St. Francis of Assisi

Nan worked as Pilgrim Center of Hope’s events coordinator for 10 years. As a Missionary of Hope volunteer, she continues to serve Pilgrim Center of Hope as a writer for The Pilgrim Log blog and "Living Catholicism" column in the Archdiocesan newspaper, Today’s Catholic.

Nan also serves as a Shroud Ambassador for the "Who is the Man of the Shroud?" Exhibition; guiding visitors, writing, and speaking for "A Journey with the Shroud" presentations.

Nan is a monthly benefactor, daily prayer intercessor, and contributes from her years of experience at Pilgrim Center of Hope as an Advisory Board member.

Parish: Church of the Good Shepherd (Schertz)

Lea Kochanek began her career in media relations for the U.S. Olympic Festival 1993, then in community relations at the San Antonio Express-News for 11 years.

After taking time off to nurture her grandchildren, Lea worked as Director of Donor Relations at the San Antonio Area Foundation. She then served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Oblate School of Theology, where she managed the School’s fundraising, marketing, public relations and communications for more than 10 years prior to retiring in March 2020.

In addition to serving on our Advisory Board in the area of funding development, Lea is active in her parish, Church of the Good Shepherd in Schertz, serving on several committees, also with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Fellowship of Catholic Christian Women. She is a member of SA 100 and helps various Catholic nonprofits with their fundraising efforts as a volunteer.

Juliet Perez is a retired Certified Public Accountant who has served her parish community as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a Lector, and a Mass Coordinator for over 15 years. In 2016, she was awarded the Lumen Gentium award for these volunteer activities.

In addition to serving on Pilgrim Center of Hope's PCH Advisory Council and the Catholic Women's Conference Steering Committee, she has been a participant and team member on ACTS retreats, as well as a volunteer at the San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry (SAMM) shelter.

Parish: St. Anthony Mary Claret

Lupita Winters worked as Pilgrim Center of Hope’s Accountant for almost 4 ½ years and assisted in various conferences and fundraising events. Prior to joining PCH, Lupita worked as a Senior Staff Accountant in the hotel industry as well as substitute and computer technology teacher for NISD.

Her husband Bill works for the Department of the Air Force and serves as a Commander in the US Navy Reserve. He has served as a Missionary of Hope supporter through sponsorships and volunteering for several years.

Bill and Lupita taught Catechism at St. Anthony Claret Parish for over a decade. Together they contribute their creativity and administrative/managerial knowledge to Pilgrim Center of Hope in their role as Advisory Board members.