Meet Our Team
-
FOUNDERGary Thome is a husband, father of five children, and a lifelong Catholic living in northwest Houston. After a successful 32-year career building several billion-dollar technology businesses, Gary left his corporate VP role to found LOVING STONES. He also has served for eight years on the board of directors for the Christian nonprofit, Heartbeat International, providing expertise in strategy, technology, marketing, and finance. He is active in his parish, Prince of Peace Catholic Community, where he has served and led numerous ministries. Pam, Gary’s wife, also is a LOVING STONES of CHRIST Team member. You can find her bio below.
Favorite Scripture: "Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire." (Ps 37:4)
-
Bob Zerda was married in 1979 and has three children, one of whom he lost to suicide at the age of 24. Bob grew up in San Antonio, TX. He is a cradle Catholic and met his wife, Kathy, at the University of Notre Dame where Bob earned a degree in electrical engineering. Bob started his 38-year career as a power system and automation engineer in the oil and gas industry. He is now enjoying retirement and grandchildren. He and Kathy have been members of Prince of Peace Catholic Community since 1985 and have served in numerous ministries. In addition to LOVING STONES, Bob currently volunteers in Pastoral Care ministry. Bob and Kathy also actively support suicide prevention and mental health initiatives, and are past board members of the Guardian Angel Educational Fund that supports the education of indigenous Mayan children in Guatemala.
Bob’s Favorite Scripture: “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’” (Jn 20:29)
info@lovingstonesofchrist.org
-
Cynthia Cardenas-Kolak is a lifelong learner, teacher, independent scholar, and author who has trained other trainers, teachers, and administrators on best instructional practices for diverse learners. She has been a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Community for seven years and resides in northwest Houston with her husband and son. As an active participant in her parish, she has served in multiple roles including pastoral care volunteer, funeral coordinator, small group facilitator of book studies with Catholic WE and the parish at large, LOVING STONES, and has a strong calling to the New Evangelization.Favorite Scriptures: “Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise. Sing to him a new song; skillfully play with joyous chant.” (Ps 33:3)
“Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you things beyond the reach of your knowledge.” (Jer 33:3)
-
Co-Founder / BloggerAn Okie from birth and cradle Catholic, Kerry McGuire has a Texas-sized heart as she “empty-nests” in northwest Houston alongside her husband of 27 years (son is at A&M and daughter, UT-Austin; house-divided!). A member of Prince of Peace Catholic Community since 2005, she helped found LOVING STONES and Catholic WE (Catholic Women Experience), two lay apostolates focused on evangelization and apostleship. A professional communications strategist for a variety of businesses and non-profits with over 30 years of experience, she currently freelances and writes for the Texas Catholic Herald, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston newspaper.
Favorite Scripture: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)
-
Tammy Lee is a nature-loving wife and boy-mom that enjoys her early morning prayer time, cup of creamer with a little coffee, and 3-mile jog alongside her devoted pup. She and her family divide their time between Cypress, TX, and their peaceful rolling-acre farmland in eastern Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Texas and a master’s in Occupational Therapy from Texas Women’s in Houston. Her compassionate, caring, and servant’s heart is evident in her work at her parish of 16 years, Prince of Peace Catholic Community, including Pastoral Care Ministry, food pantry, youth group, faith formation, and LOVING STONES.
Favorite Scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom 12:2)
-
Co-FoundersKathy Zerda was married in 1979 and has three children, one of whom was lost to suicide at the age of 24. Kathy grew up in Columbus, OH. She is a cradle Catholic and met her husband, Bob, at the University of Notre Dame where Kathy earned a degree in microbiology. After graduation, Kathy went on to earn a doctorate in virology at the Baylor College of Medicine and worked careers as a research scientist, an engineering manager, and a university professor. She is now enjoying retirement and grandchildren. Kathy and Bob have been members of Prince of Peace Catholic Community since 1985 and have served in numerous ministries. In addition to LOVING STONES, Kathy serves as a certified spiritual director. Kathy and Bob also actively support suicide prevention and mental health initiatives, and are past board members of the Guardian Angel Educational Fund that supports the education of indigenous Mayan children in Guatemala.
Kathy’s Favorite Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11)
-
Laura Hebert is a mother of five who homeschooled her children through high school. She and her husband, Mike, joined the Prince of Peace Catholic Community in 2000 after moving to the Houston area. Laura has facilitated or participated in several ministries over the years. She is grateful for the many lessons learned from those experiences and is honored to be working with the LSOC team. In her free time, Laura enjoys gardening, traveling with her family, and loves spending time with her grandchildren.Favorite Scripture: “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” (Jl 2:12-13)
-
Marie Thome is a wife, mother of four, grandmother of nine, and recent widow. She has been a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in West Houston for 50 years where she has served in numerous ministries. She is a retired teacher, graduate of the Spiritual Direction Institute of the Cenacle, and is currently on staff as a spiritual director at the Emmaus Spirituality Center. She also received FTCM certification and took advantage of many spiritual courses. Marie has facilitated faith formation classes for youth and adults. She continues to be active in the ACTS retreats and has served as spiritual director and advisor to the leadership team, and most recently, LOVING STONES.Favorite Scripture: “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Rom 5:5)
-
Pam Thome is a wife, mother of five, and a disciple of Jesus trying to grow into an apostle. She has worked on the space shuttle program as an electrical engineer, on the night shift as a factory engineer, on a keyboard as an award-winning technical writer, and as a home educator at the dining room table. Her journey into the Catholic Church started when she married into a beautiful Catholic family and was clinched when she realized she couldn't out-argue St. Thomas Aquinas. She was welcomed into the Church in 1997 at Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Houston where she continues to volunteer in various ministries. She loves a good IPA, dreads cleaning house, and can't put down a mystery novel, even a bad one.Favorite Scripture: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)
-
Mike Hebert was married in 1991 after finishing pilot training in the Air Force. A father of five children, he retired from instructor flying in the military and has enjoyed flying to international destinations with a major airline for over two decades. He has been involved in parish ministries including ACTS and serving as an EMHC. He enjoyed his time with his sons as a leader in his parish Boy Scout troop for 20 years and currently fills his day completing honey-dos, babysitting his grandkids, woodworking and editing media for the Loving Stones website.Favorite Scripture: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Jn 3:30
abear756@gmail.com
-
Pilar is originally from Lima, Peru, where she worked as a Police Officer. She has called Houston home since 1986. She is married and a proud mother of two. Her work experience includes serving as a Deputy Court Clerk for the Houston Municipal Courts and later as a Senior Police Service Officer for the Houston Police Department. She graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown with a degree in Media Communication, and minors in Judicial and Medical Spanish Interpreting. In addition, Pilar served as an online tutor at Lone Star College, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She also works as a freelance voiceover artist.
A devoted parishioner since 2006, Pilar has been on a continuous journey of faith that began with attending an ACTS retreat. This transformative experience strengthened her spirit as she navigated the challenges of being a caregiver for her mother. It also inspired her to deepen her spiritual understanding and share her faith with others. Discovering Pathways to Discipleship brought her a renewed sense of purpose. Pilar feels blessed to use her Spanish interpreting skills to support the Loving Stones program and is passionate about sharing the blessings of this experience to foster the growth of our Catholic community.
Ephesians 6: 7-8 Do your work willingly, as for the Lord and not for human beings, knowing that whatever good we may do, whether as slaves or as free men, we will be repaid by the Lord.
Ephesians 6: 16-17 In all circumstances, hold in your hand the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation as well as the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
-
Shelli Breaux is a wife and mom who enjoys all things creative! She was recently baptized and initiated into the Catholic church Easter 2024. From there she took advantage of opportunities to grow in her faith through bible study, Pathways to Discipleship, conferences, and an ACTS retreat. She was eager to get involved in parish ministries and began serving as an EMHC and shadowing as a sacristan. She continues to get involved, now assisting in small group facilitation for Pathways, social media for LOVING STONES of CHRIST, and whatever else God calls her to. She has always loved art, graphic design and photography. She earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing from Sam Houston State University. After working as a Senior Analyst in the corporate world for almost 10 years, Shelli earned her teaching certification and has been teaching in Tomball the past 10 years. She has experience in K-4 Special Education and General Education. Helping others realize their strengths brings her joy!
Favorite Scripture: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)