Echoing the Call

Priesthood … Are you sure that is a good idea?
This week on Echoing the Call, Father Will welcomes Father Kevin Peters, Diocesan Director of the Office of Rural Life and Ministry, pastor of several parishes in Stark County, and Dean of the Stark County West Deanery.
Father Kevin shares an honest and inspiring story of his vocation and discernment. He opens up about the people in his life who encouraged him to consider the priesthood—and even those who told him that becoming a priest was “not the best idea” for him. Through his story, Father Kevin reminds us that God’s call can sometimes come in unexpected ways and that discernment requires trust, courage, and an openness to where God is leading.
Tune in for a candid conversation about vocation, discernment, and learning to listen for God’s call.

Surprised by God: The Impact of Campus Ministry
This week on Echoing the Call, Fr. Will welcomes Sister Nicole Varnerin, SND, to share her vocation story and the surprising ways God worked through her college experience. Sister Nicole reflects on the impact of Newman Campus Ministry, how getting involved in campus ministry helped her stay connected to her faith, and how a spiritual director became an important part of her journey.
Through these experiences, God slowly revealed a calling Sister Nicole never expected—the call to become a Sister of Notre Dame. Join us as we discover how God can use the people and experiences in our lives to lead us somewhere we never imagined.

Did he say convert? Aren’t all priests born and raised Catholic?
This week on Echoing the Call, Fr. Will welcomes Fr. Travis Seagraves for a compelling conversation about faith, conversion, and vocation. Fr. Travis shares not only his journey to the Catholic priesthood but also the remarkable story of his conversion from the Baptist tradition to the Catholic Church.
Not every priest grows up Catholic, and Fr. Travis's story is a powerful reminder that God calls people from every walk of life. As he reflects on the questions, challenges, and moments of grace that led him to embrace the Catholic faith and eventually the priesthood, listeners will discover how God patiently guides those who seek the truth. Whether you are exploring the Catholic faith, discerning your own vocation, or simply love hearing inspiring conversion stories, this episode is sure to encourage and strengthen your faith.

Your first date was Sunday Mass?
In this episode of Echoing the Call, Father Will sits down with Paul and Maria Thrams of Hudson, Ohio, to share the beautiful story of their vocation to marriage. Married for just over a year, Paul and Maria reflect on their journey from meeting while working together at a high school job, to their first date that began at Sunday Mass, and ultimately to the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Together, they discuss how their Catholic faith became the foundation of their relationship, the joys and challenges of newly married life, and the importance of discerning God's will together as a couple. Their witness offers encouragement to young adults who are seeking to build relationships rooted in Christ and reminds us that every vocation begins by saying "yes" to God's call, one step at a time.

Join us for the premiere episode of Echoing the Call on August 4, 2026, the Feast of Saint John Vianney, patron of parish priests. Host Father William Wainio welcomes his first guest, The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, for an inspiring conversation about the journey of a vocation.
From his childhood and the first stirrings of God's call to his ministry today as shepherd of the Diocese of Youngstown, Bishop Bonnar reflects on the people, experiences, and moments that have shaped his life of faith and priestly service.
Whether you are discerning God's call, seeking to deepen your faith, or simply curious about the life and ministry of a bishop, this conversation is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and inspiring stories that remind us how God leads each of us in unexpected and beautiful ways.