Forever Learning, Why Not?
For 50 years, the Forever Learning Institute has been a vibrant community, providing award-winning educational opportunities to senior adults throughout the Michiana community. The true impact of their mission, which can be measured in the thousands of lives they touch daily ( they average over 2,000 people a semester), is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. They are dedicated to allowing intellectually curious adults to engage in lifelong learning, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their later years. The diverse programs and classes, including various courses, seminars, and travel experiences, empower adults to continue learning, growing, thriving, and to “See-Judge-Act” regardless of age or circumstances.
In the early 1970s, as Fr. Putz approached retirement, he became very interested in 'third agers,' A term he used to describe individuals in the third stage of life when they are ready to return and give back to the community. He had a saying about the stages of life that went like this: For the first third of life, you are formally learning, then you find yourself in the second stage of life of earning a living, and then that day comes in the third stage of life when all is settled for the most part, children are just about on their own, and you are now ready to enter the third stage of returning. Fr. Putz saw life as a chain with three links: We have Learning-Earning-Returning. This means giving back to the world and sharing your wisdom with others through education, activities, and social gatherings, fully collaborating with humanity, and bringing about the Kingdom of Heaven here and now. Fr. Louis chose to focus on the "third agers" because it is that time in life when there is the opportunity to give back one's knowledge, talent, and experience in service to others. Fr. Louis saw the chance to do some exciting work; "Long after reaching the age when many of his fellow priests, sisters, and brothers were dozing on the porch, Father Louie established South Bends Harvest House, a center devoted to the physical, spiritual, and cultural needs of Third Agers, and the Forever Learning Institute, an inexpensive continuing-education program in which he remained active until days before his death. Both projects became models for similar initiatives in Phoenix, Houston, Galveston, Texas, Wichita, Kansas.; and California's Coachella Valley."
These centers had one goal: to enhance and share their knowledge in a formal, organized way. Some were in a classroom setting, others in the gym, and many went on field trips.
Today, the Forever Learning Institute organizes its semesters as ten weeks in length and teaches by volunteer subject-matter enthusiasts simply for the joy of teaching and learning. (Remember the returning aspect.)
The ancient Greeks believed that learning is forever. Learning demonstrates that a life of service and the love of learning combine to create a complete and prosperous community.
Imagine the possibilities of creating and organizing Forever Learning Institutes in your area. Your involvement can be the catalyst for its growth and flourishing. Each year, you can expand the curriculum to include almost any topic imaginable. Be creative! Have courses in history and political science, music, foreign languages, creative arts, literature, spirituality, health and wellness, technology and computers, and business. You are the driving force behind the Forever Learning Institutes, making it the primary school for adults.
"To be an apostle, Fr. Louis once said in a homily for Pentecost Sunday, you need not necessarily become a social worker or a foreign missionary; you need not be a dynamic orator. You need merely to be keenly alive to the needs of your neighbor, the neighbor of your immediate environment," Fr. Hesburgh wrote.
Father Louis J. Putz, C.S.C
A believer in the work of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn
June 1, 1909 – June 24, 1998
Immigrant-Visionary-Teacher-Priest
