Vestry met in Serson Hall with a call to order at 6:30 p.m. There was a quorum. Fr Tom read a prayer from St Basil of Caesarea.

Members Present: Fr. Tom Thoeni, Rector; Diane Augustas, Sr. Warden; Julio Albino, Jr. Warden; Tom Connolly, Mary Lou Dogoloff, Paul Nelson, Jeannie Smith, and Murray Smith. Jack LaRose and Rose Porembo were absent.

Approval of Minutes: Fr Tom asked for a motion to accept the minutes from March 17, 2025. Diane A made the motion, Julio A seconded and the motion was passed by acclamation. Jeannie S asked to withdraw as a delegate for the October 10,11 diocesan convention. The motion above was amended by Diane A and seconded by Julio A. The amended motion was passed by acclamation. The April 21 minutes will be presented for approval at the May 19, 2025 meeting.

Raising Visibility: Tom C presented to Diane A & Fr Tom at a meeting several ideas from various websites by displaying the websites on the screen in the library.

Stewardship: Fr Tom discussed the continuing FL legislation bill that is making it possible for religious institutions to build on their land. A workforce housing complex on Santa Barbara Blvd, Naples is an example of size and height of our intended project. Steve Hruby is the architect for the design and he is working with Collier County and Lang Lowrey from the diocese.

Best Practices:
Deanery Connections: Fr Tom is talking with the rectors at St Mary’s Church in Bonita and St Mark’s on Marco Island. St. Monica’s Church won’t be available for talking together until a new rector is in place.

Hearing Loop, Sound, Streaming: Tom C reported the driver or amplifier for the Hearing Loop will be returned soon from repair in Utah. For three weeks there have been issues with the sound in the streaming. Murray S donated an HDMI cord to improve the connection to the monitor. 

Holy Name Community: Fr Panel Guerrier sent Fr Tom a note saying his community would think about how new drums and speakers could be stored outside of the church. Fr Guerrier was informed that there are no closets available to hold their newly purchased equipment.

Rector’s Goals: An essay from Fr Tom to the executive committee will bring thoughts together as the two endowments are growing and need to be used properly. Specific criteria will keep expenditures assigned where they are intended. Fr Tom reminded wardens to sign their bank cards as required.

Other Business: Mary Lou D introduced the inquiries of a vendor who would like to sell food during the week from the church property. She makes and sells empanadas. Fr Tom said that we need to contact the diocese to ask about insurance coverage for this situation. More questions came up about the distance from the road a vendor can sell food. A BBQ vendor approached the church two years ago appealing to sell food during the week from church property. That will be researched.

Fr Tom closed the meeting with a prayer at 7:15 p.m.

The next vestry meeting will be June 16, 2025 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Charlene Connolly, 

Recording Secretary and Clerk