Dr. Helene Paharik, a member of the Saint Vincent Seminary adjunct faculty, completed defense of her doctoral dissertation at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland on Wednesday, December 21. The dissertation is entitled “A Theology of Mission as Participation in Friendship.” Her degree is a doctor of philosophy in theological studies.

The examination jury was composed of Professor Joachim Negel, president of the jury (dean); Professor Barbara Hallensleben, first expert; Professor Bernhard Blankenhorn, second expert; Professor Ioan Sauca, Bossey/Switzerland, assessor and Dr. James Morgan, assessor.

Paharik, of Greensburg, returned to Saint Vincent Seminary as a member of the adjunct faculty in 2018 and also teaches for the Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation (IMF).

Paharik is a member of the Seminary’s Class of 2007, earning a master of arts degree in New Testament Theology, magna cum laude.

She has been an adjunct professor of theology at Saint Vincent College since 2016.

She has received Seton Hill University’s Dolan Prize for Excellence in Theological Study and its Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award, is a member of the theology academic honor society Theta Alpha Kappa, and the academic honor society, Alpha Lambda Delta. She received the Salt and Light Award from the Diocese of Greensburg in 2005 for the “Bethlehem Project,” a ministry to prevent homelessness; and has received two ecclesial honors, the Dame of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Seplucher, 2011, and Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, 2015. She has also received a Humanitarian Award from the Pittsburgh Islamic Center for leadership in the Beit Benedict Peace Academy.

A member of Saint Vincent Basilica Parish, she is married to Dr. James G. Paharik. They are the parents of four children.