Today, the first phase of the proposed Catholic university and town will be brought before the Collier County Commission.

On Wednesday, Ave Maria officials plan to unveil the architect's renderings and plans, including the world's largest crucifix, and the Vatican Choir will perform in the city of Naples for the first time.

Thursday, the first Mass at the site of the university's future campus will be celebrated.

Collier County commissioners are set to vote on the first phase of Ave Maria at 3:30 p.m. today in commission chambers.

Landowner Barron Collier Cos. proposes to give up development rights on an estimated 5,300 acres, called sending areas, in four locations. Barron Collier Cos. plans to enter a voluntary program in which landowners agree to give up development rights in natural areas in exchange for credits that could be used to build on less sensitive land.

The four spots would generate enough credits to develop 955 acres in the rural area between Golden Gate Estates and Immokalee, where Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan wants to build the university and town.

The state Department of Community Affairs last week approved a Preliminary Development Agreement, which means the joint venture doesn't need to submit plans for future phases of the project before beginning the first phase.

The project also needs a permit from the South Florida Water Management District.

The first phase covers 960 acres, but Ave Maria eventually could cover some 4,500 acres, an area almost twice the size of Golden Gate, according to plans. The first phase includes 633 acres for a new town and 327 acres for the university, which plans show will serve 1,200 students with classrooms, a technology center, a library, student housing, a student activity center and a performing arts center.

The phase includes plans for a landmark church large enough to hold 3,500 people, a private school for grades kindergarten to 12th grade and parks.

Beginning Wednesday, the public will be able to view the plans for the first Catholic university to be built in the United States in 40 years, as well as the design and model of one of the largest Catholic churches in North America and plans for the world's largest crucifix, according to Robert Falls & Co., Ave Maria's public relations firm.

Further details won't be revealed until the press conference, which is planned for Wednesday morning at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Club.

A report published in The Detroit News in January 2002 states that Monaghan already had plans to build a 25-story crucifix outside Ann Arbor, Mich, but Monaghan's public relations firm says the crucifix was never built.

The plans for that particular crucifix included a height only 51 feet short of the Statue of Liberty's torch. Christ's body would have measured 40 feet, according to the newspaper report.

Wednesday also will be the day the Vatican Choir, under the direction of Monsignor Pablo Colino, director of music for St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, performs at 8 p.m. at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples.

General admission is $35 per person and $20 per student. Patrons can pay $250 for the performance and a post-performance reception in the Figge Conservatory, where the renderings and plans for Ave Maria will be displayed.

Thursday, a Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at the site of the university's future campus. Thursday is the Feast of the Annunciation, a major event in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church that commemorates the day the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus.

The university is named after and dedicated to Mary.

Chancellor Joseph Fessio would like the school to celebrate a Mass every March 25 at the site until the campus is ready for students in 2006.

To reach the property for the Annunciation Mass, drive east on Immokalee Road to Oil Well Road (County Road 858), about seven miles past the Collier Boulevard intersection. Turn right onto Oil Well Road and continue for about eight miles. The Town of Ave Maria property begins on the left, or north, side of the road and continues to Camp Keais Road, the eastern border of the property.

Turn left on Camp Keais Road. The entrance to the Mass site will be two miles on the left.