
Catholic Housing
Living at Saint Paul’s











frequently asked questions
Where is the Bernadette House?
On the fourth floor of Saint Paul’s Catholic Student Center, 723 State Street, which is located on Library Mall in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus.
What does the Bernadette House look like?
The photos in the left column show the apartment which includes:
- a full kitchen
- living room
- dining room
- 2 bathrooms
- in unit laundry
- 3 rooms, 3 women per room
- a dresser for each resident and a shared closet
What are the advantages to being a part of an intentional, Catholic community?
- In this home-like environment, the emphasis is on creating a shared life experience with mutual support and a focus on growing as a human person.
- In this intentional community of people striving to grow in virtue, there is more opportunity to learn from one another rather than to compete with one another.
- Living in a house of 9 women means you always have someone to talk to, to laugh with, to cry with, and to pray with!
How do food and cooking factor into the Bernadette community?
- The food is communal, meaning groceries are bought weekly by one of the residents and the cost of groceries is split equally among residents.
- Monday night community dinners are cooked by rotating pairs of residents, and the meal is for the entire house to eat together.
- Other meals are made and eaten on you own, or voluntarily shared with whoever else in the house.
What are the rules of living in community?
- Attending Monday night community nights every week
- Sharing communal food
- Weekly or bi-weekly communal cleaning
- Attending a 30 minute class on human virtue
- Following the guidance of the House Mom, who is in communication with the Director of Evangelization and Student Housing Helena Dziadowicz
- Men are only allowed in the Bernadette house for specific events
- Other rules are established by community members
- Example: quiet hours, when guests are allowed to come over
How much does it cost to live in the Bernadette House?
$350/month
What will the virtue program consist of?
COURSE PLAN
This course is divided into 10 sessions (10/semester). The first semester covers the fundamentals of human anthropology and virtue. Its aim is to introduce students to what virtue is, how it is cultivated, and why it is important. The second semester introduces students to the guiding principles of Catholic social thought. This semester builds on the previous to facilitate an understanding of virtuous leadership and the conditions of a flourishing society.
Semester 1
1. Introduction: Why Live Well?
2. Habits and Happiness
3. Virtue and Moral Action
4. The Passions and Moral Virtue
5. The Cardinal Virtues
6. Vice and Sin
7. The Nature of Good & Evil
8. Friendship
9. Law & Natural Law
10. Conclusion: Why Virtue?
Semester 2
11. Intro to Catholic Social Thought
12. Human Dignity
13. The Common Good
14. Subsidiarity
15. Solidarity
16. The Family
17. The State
18. The Church & the World
19. Christian Leadership
20. Living Well in the Modern World
Class content subject to change based on the desires of the community, and the teacher’s attentiveness to the needs of the residents.
Meet the House mom
Interested?
Contact Helena Dziadowicz, Director of Evangelization and Student Housing, at helenad@uwcatholic.org with any questions or for an application.