Staff

The Reverend Father Brian B. Campbell originally hails from the State of Illinois where he grew up as a young child until his family moved to the Naples area in the late 1980’s. Growing up in Southwest Florida, Fr. Campbell enjoys boating, swimming, running and various outdoor activities as well as travel. After graduating High School, Father attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Theology in 2002. During that time, he was discerning a vocation to the ministerial priesthood and in 2003 became a Seminarian for the Diocese of Palm Beach, FL.

As a seminarian he completed some important assignments for priestly training. These assignments included a year of Pre-Theology at St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami followed by four years of graduate theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where he graduated with an M.Div. in 2009. Fr. Campbell was ordained by Bishop Barbarito to the Priesthood on May 2, 2009 and has served at St. Patrick Church in Palm Beach Gardens (2009-20012), St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach (2012-2015), Chaplain to Pope John Paul II High School (2012-2013), Our Lady Queen of the Apostles in Royal Palm Beach (2015-2019), the Latin Mass Community of Holy Spirit Church in Lantana (2009-2019) and writing Sunday Word articles in The Florida Catholic Newspaper since 2015.

Beginning January 1,2020 he was assigned by Bishop Barbarito to be the next Administrator of our parish. As of April 1, 2021 he has been named our official Pastor. Father Campbell looks forward to working with the clergy of St. John’s to serve the needs of the people of God in the Western Vero Beach community. Fr. Campbell loves to teach about the Scriptures and is fully committed to Catholic Christianity as the fullest expression of historic Christian discipleship. He invites questions, meetings and visitations to get to know our community better.

Assisting Priests

The Reverend Father Augstine Badgley

Father Gus -“Gus” being short for Augustinewas born Thomas Edward Badgley in New York City. He first pursued a vocation with the Congregation of Christian Brothers of Ireland, taking the religious name Brother Augustine. From 1966 to 1983, he served as a Christian Brother and taught students from the elementary through high-school levels throughout New York State.

In 1983, Brother Augustine entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York to study for the priesthood. He was ordained Father Thomas Badgley on June 27, 1987, by John Cardinal O’Connor at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Since then, he has been affectionately known as Father Gus.

He holds degrees in theology, religious education, English education, and divinity, with studies at Iona University, Fordham University, and St. Joseph’s Seminary. During his many years of priestly ministry, he served at nine parishes across Westchester, Bronx, and Orange Counties.

He also served as a hospital chaplain for six years at White Plains Hospital and six years at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville. After retiring from active ministry in the Archdiocese of New York in August 2024, Father Gus moved to Vero Beach. Known for his welcoming personality, broad knowledge, and historically insightful homilies, he enjoys classical music and is also an organist. Father Gus is delighted to be part of the St. John of the Cross parish family. We are grateful for his priestly ministry and for the generous assistance he provides to our pastor, Father Brian Campbell.

Deacons

Program & Support Staff

Director of Music & Communications

Principal Organist

Ryan A. Kasten, ABD, MM, MM

serves as Director of Music and Principal Organist at St. John of the Cross Roman Catholic Church, where he has been a member of the parish staff since September 2016. Ryan also oversees the communications for our parish's including social media, webpage, bulletin, and ministry volunteer schedules.

Originally from Jackson, Missouri, Ryan has devoted his career to the ministry of sacred music, combining a passion for liturgical excellence with a commitment to music education and performance. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance from Southeast Missouri State University, a Master of Music in Organ Performance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and a Master of Music in Conducting from Florida State University. He is also a doctoral candidate in Organ Performance at Florida State University. In addition to his work as an organist and conductor, Ryan is a sought-after accompanist and an accomplished baritone soloist. He maintains a private teaching studio, offering instruction in piano, organ, and voice to students of all ages.

Ryan serves as the Artistic Director of the Paradise Master Chorale and the St. John's Brass Ensemble, where he continues to foster musical excellence through performances, educational opportunities, and community outreach. Outside of his musical ministry, Ryan is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he is a Fourth Degree Knight, and he serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Indian River County, reflecting his dedication to both his parish and the broader community.

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