From 1977 to 1979, Bruno was parish associate at St. Patrick's Church in Thousand Oaks, California. He was associate at St. Mary's Church in Eugene, Oregon from 1979 to 1980, while concurrently vicar of St. Teresa's in Junction City, Oregon. He was active both in building church facilities and new congregations. In 1980, he left St. Mary's to help form St. Matthew's Church, also in Eugene, where he served as vicar for several years before returning to California. From 1983 to 1986, he was associate at St. Paul's Church in Pomona, California.