All About
Fr. William N. Wainio
Father William “Will” Wainio was born on February 4, 1993, in Youngstown, Ohio, as the first of two children to Cynthia (Rega) and Anthony J. Wainio. He began his education at Saint Luke Elementary School and graduated from Ursuline High School in 2011. He then pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, followed by earning both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Theology from Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in May, 2024.
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Ordained as a Transitional Deacon on June 3, 2023, at the Cathedral of Saint Columba by The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, Father William began his ministry as a deacon at Saint Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes in Columbiana County. Just three months into his assignment, Bishop Bonnar asked then Deacon William to move to downtown Canton, Ohio, serving The Basilica of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter Roman Catholic Parish.
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Father William was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on June 1, 2024, by Bishop Bonnar at the Cathedral of Saint Columba. Bishop Bonnar assigned Father William as the parochial vicar at Saint Patrick Parish and the University Parish Newman Center in Kent, Ohio.
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Active in his community, Father William is a board member of the Mahoning County Youth Agricultural Association and an advisor for the Mahoning County (Canfield Fair) Junior Fair Board. He founded, and now chairs, the George L. Grim Memorial Scholarship Fund. Additionally, he participates in various fundraising efforts including The Bishop’s Golf Classic, the annual Voices of Hope Dinner for Catholic Charities, Yellow Brick Place Cancer Wellness Center, and the Celebrate Our Legacy Auction for Ursuline High School.
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Passionate about social justice, and Catholic Social Teaching, Father William is a member of the diocesan Peace and Justice Committee and collaborates with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
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During his seminary years beginning in August 2017, Father William served at several parishes: Saint Angela Merici (Youngstown), Saint Michael (Canton), Blessed Sacrament and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (Warren), Saint Jude (Columbiana), and Our Lady of Lourdes (East Palestine). Before entering the seminary, he worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Boardman Township Police and Fire Departments, and part-time for Beaver and Springfield Townships.
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Father William is a well known speaker and retreat director leading many retreats for high school and junior high students, especially those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. He has directed several high school class retreats for Ursuline High School in Youngstown, Ohio.
Video Library:
A Life Long Calling is a brief video documenting Deacon William Wainio’s journey toward the priesthood. Shot in December 2018 and January 2019, it offers a glimpse into the process of discerning a call from God. This project was directed and produced by Deacon Will’s dear friends Ryan Peplowski and Elizabeth Shiller, submitted as an entry in the 2019 Collective Filmmakers Contest Series. A heartfelt thank you to The Wainio Family, Fr. Kevin Peters, and the Parish Community at Saint Angela Merici in Youngstown, Ohio for their support.
Spotlight with Fr. Jim Korda is brought to you by the Catholic Television Network of Youngstown (CTNY). This show aims to shine a light on individuals, locations, and happenings throughout the six counties of the Diocese of Youngstown. Recorded in the spring of 2021, this episode features Deacon William Wainio in conversation with Fr. Korda. They delve into the topic of a vocational call to the priesthood and offer valuable insights into the process of discernment. A heartfelt thank you to Fr. Jim Korda and CTNY for making this episode possible.
The Ordination Liturgy of Mr. Kevin Bertleff and Mr. William Wainio to the Order of Deacon in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Special thanks to The Catholic Echo and the word of the Diocesan Communications Department.
Guided by Faith: Deacon William Wainio sits down with Dennis Biviano from the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown to talk about his call to the priesthood and his journey through seminary. The short interview highlights Deacon (now Father) Wainio's hopes for the future as a priest.
The Priesthood Ordination Liturgy of Rev. Mr. Kevin Bertleff and Rev. Mr. William Wainio to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Special thanks to The Catholic Echo and the word of the Diocesan Communications Department.
Fr. Will's LOVE of the Canfield Fair thanks to the work of Youngstown's local news station, 27 WKBN, who interviewed Fr. Wainio about his love of the Mahoning County Canfield Fair and why Fr. Wainio continues to support the fair and the youth who take part in Junior Fair and 4-H.