Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: The University of Notre Dame du Lac ( or simply Notre Dame , ) is a private Catholic research university located in Notre Dame , an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend , in St. Joseph County , Indiana , United States â '' as are Holy Cross College and Saint Mary 's College .
Simplified: The University of Notre Dame ( or simply Notre Dame ) is a private Catholic university in the state of Indiana .