The gentlemen pictured above are "saints" for the economato: hard working professionals who generously volunteer to share their knowledge and experience with us, performing the "miracles" that happen with hard work and prudent policies. The only objections to their classification as financial "saints" might come from those professionals from the banking and investment world who have to answer our group’s pointed, tough, no nonsense questions.

The Order’s legislation anticipates that the Economo Generale will not be an expert in every sector with which his office has to deal. It wisely encourages him to tap available resources to assist him in his work. For the past three years this group has met with Fr. Jimmy and Fr. Pino at the economato to examine our resources and to suggest ways of using these resources in a manner that is consistent with responsible stewardship.

Sometimes this work takes the members to the Vatican to discuss possibilities with officials at the service of the Universal Church. This shot shows our group on the way to one such discussion.

Left to right are: Mr. Paul Bonello (Malta), Mr. James Van Flandern (U.S.A.), Mr. Richard Nestvogel (Germany), Fr. Giuseppe (Pino) Noto (vice-Economo General and Legal Representative of the Order) and Mr. Paul Camilleri (accountant/advisor).

Other times we call banking or investment representatives in to present their proposals to the group. We have even had occasion to invite a couple of members to join the Economo Generale in other major cities to visit institutions that might be able to offer the Order attractive ethical investment opportunities.

All of this sounds glamorous but make no mistake. Many hours are spent poring over reports and proposals and attempting to synthesize technical information in such a way as to help us in this very delicate field of endeavour. The jackets come off and the chart boards get filled with information. The experiences and attitudes get melded and eventually short and long-term strategies are hammered out and fine-tuned. After each meeting a summary of the work is presented to the Definitorial Economic Liaison and to the Economato. In effect this gives us a plan of action to carry out our work until the following meeting.

Our experience has been very positive and we are grateful to these gentlemen for their good work and to the General Definitorium and Provinces for their suggestions and for generously sharing their human resources with us.