Brooklyn Diocese Personnel Changes Announced

Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, has announced several personnel changes within the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes Queens. These updates affect both active and retired clergy.

Father Michael J.S. Bruno, S.T.D. has been appointed Associate Vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life, effective July 1, 2025. He will conclude his tenure as Dean of Seminarians and Director of Institutional Effectiveness at St. Joseph’s Seminary on June 30, but will continue as an adjunct professor.

“I am humbled and grateful to Bishop Brennan for the confidence he has placed in me. I look forward to working with and learning from the Vicar for Clergy, Monsignor Sean Ogle, in the months ahead. My 10 years at Dunwoodie, under Bishop James Massa and Monsignor Peter Vaccari, have been a grace-filled time in my priestly ministry. It has been a blessing to accompany seminarians who have generously responded to the Lord’s call, and to contribute to the formation of permanent deacons and lay leaders across our region. I now hope to serve my brother priests and deacons and collaborate with the religious men and women who bring the Gospel to life each day in Brooklyn and Queens,” said Father Bruno.

Ordained in 2010, Father Bruno has served at Our Lady of Angels (Bay Ridge, Brooklyn), St. Dominic’s (Bensonhurst, Brooklyn) and St. Luke’s (Whitestone, Queens) and joined the St. Joseph’s Seminary faculty in 2015. While at the seminary, he has served as weekend assistant at St. Edmund’s Church (Homecrest, Brooklyn) and as diocesan censor librorum.

Father Richard Beuther, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church (Jackson Heights, Queens), has been named the Diocese’s first Delegate for Senior Priests, assisting retired clergy with life needs, including healthcare.

“This is an exciting new chapter in the history of our diocese being presented to our senior priests. This shows the concern of the faithful of the diocese who give generously each year to the annual Catholic appeal and the Easter collection for Senior priests. Being named Bishop Brennan’s new delegate to Senior priests also highlights the concern and fatherly care Bishop Brennan has for our priests who have served our Diocese so well. I am excited to begin this new ministry,” said Father Beuther.

Ordained in 1996, Father Beuther has served at multiple parishes including as pastor at St. Bartholomew (Elmhurst, Queens) for 12 years, Divine Mercy Parish (Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Brooklyn) and as the dean of Brooklyn Deanery 1.

Father John Hwang, Pastor of St. Anselm (Bay Ridge, Brooklyn), has been appointed Bishop Brennan’s Master of Ceremonies. He was ordained in 2017 and has been active in the Korean Apostolate youth ministry. He will also serve in parish ministry. Father Hwang will begin the role on June 30.

“It is a great honor and a humbling privilege to serve Bishop Brennan and work closely by his side. As Master of Ceremonies, I will assist with preparing and coordinating liturgies, especially those with the Bishop, to ensure they are celebrated with reverence and in keeping with the Church’s tradition. While I feel some sadness stepping away from parish ministry as pastor—particularly during this important time at St. Anselm’s—I am committed to supporting a smooth transition and have full confidence in the future leadership. I’m deeply grateful to the parishioners and students for their support, and I look forward to this new role as a way to serve the Church, help renew the liturgical life of our Diocese, and grow in faith and service under Bishop Brennan’s guidance,” said Father Hwang.

Deacon Jaime Varela is retiring from full-time duties as Assistant to the Ordinary and Master of Ceremonies after more than 20 years. He will now serve part-time as Master of Ceremonies. Deacon Varela has served under Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio and Bishop Brennan. He is a Deacon at Our Lady of Presentation-Mercy (East New York, Brooklyn).

“While I’m saddened to step away from my full-time role, I’m filled with gratitude and joy that God has granted me the blessing of reaching retirement. I look forward to continuing my ministry part-time in service to Bishop Brennan. I began working with Bishop DiMarzio just a year after being ordained a permanent deacon, and during those 19 years, I also came to know Bishop Brennan. When he was appointed Bishop of Brooklyn, I was honored to continue serving under his leadership,” said Deacon Varela.

Deacon Julio C. Barreneche, Secretary for Clergy Personnel and Coordinator of the Hospital and Healthcare Chaplaincy Program, is also retiring after nearly 20 years with the Diocese. Ordained in 2002, he has served as Secretary since 2006. He is assigned to St. Kevin’s Parish (Flushing, Queens).

“After 19 years of service in the Diocese of Brooklyn, I leave with deep gratitude and pride. It has been more than a job—it’s been a true calling. I’m thankful to Bishop Brennan, Bishop DiMarzio, the Clergy Personnel Team, and all those who supported and collaborated with me along the way. Serving the clergy and the people of God has been an honor, and while I step into a new chapter, the Diocese will always remain close to my heart,” said Deacon Barreneche.

“I am grateful to Deacon Jaime Varela and Deacon Julio Barreneche for their decades of service to the Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop DiMarzio, and me. May God continue to bless them as they enter this next step on their life journey,” said Bishop Brennan. “I am also grateful to Father Bruno, Father Beuther, and Father Hwang for their generosity and assistance in our endeavors to provide effective outreach and ministry to priests, both active and retired.”

The Diocese of Brooklyn, including Queens, serves 1.3 million Catholics and offers Mass in 26 languages. It is the fifth-largest diocese in the United States.