Building Up the Faith
“Beauty is a gateway to faith,” says Msgr. Michael Busch. As Rector of St. Michael’s Cathedral during its journey to becoming a minor basilica, he drew on his background in art as an evangelization tool to help parishioners and visitors connect with the sacred space.
“The building teaches us about our faith,” says Msgr. Busch. “Everything is not just for decoration, but to bring out some aspect of our faith life.”
Throughout his many years of service, he used his artistic gifts to restore, renovate – and elevate – churches throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Born and raised in Toronto, Msgr. Busch attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax. At the time, it was the only art school in Canada that offered degrees. After graduation, he worked in advertising. It was during these years that his father passed away, prompting him to go work for the family business alongside his uncle. Gradually, he says, he came to understand that God was calling him to enter the priesthood. He was ordained at the age of 37.
Now retired, Msgr. Busch is grateful for the support he receives from The Shepherds’ Trust. He wouldn’t be able to live independently without it, he says. “Even though I did have a good career in advertising, I took care of my mother until she passed away – even through years of seminary and ministry. I didn’t come out with a lot of savings as she lived until 96, so without The Shepherds’ Trust, I would probably be living in a rectory somewhere and not have the independence I have now.”
The Shepherds’ Trust provides retired priests who served parishioners in the Archdiocese of Toronto with financial support following their years of priestly service and ministry.
There are 107 priests in the Archdiocese of Toronto relying on support from The Shepherds’ Trust. Over the next decade, approximately 70 priests are expected to retire from active ministry after they turn 75.
Over the years, Msgr. Busch served as pastor at St. Justin Martyr Parish in Unionville, Our Lady Queen of the World Parish in Richmond Hill and St. Jerome’s Parish in Brampton – aside from his time spent as rector of St. Michael’s Cathedral and St. Stephen’s Chapel. He also served as Associate Pastor at St. Christopher’s Parish in Mississauga as well as Chaplain to Toronto Metropolitan University Catholic Community (formerly Ryerson).
His time at St. Justin Martyr Parish will always hold a special place for him, he says, as it was where he first began working on the design of church spaces. “There was no organ or space for a choir, so we added a choir area. We lifted the roof and brought in a skylight around the altar to bring more light into the building.”
Msgr. Busch was a member of the Sacred Art and Architecture Committee, which guides priests through renovations and the building of churches to ensure the sacred elements are thoughtfully discerned. As well, he served as the Chair of the Toronto Archdiocesan Building Committee for 25 years. During his years as Pontifical Master of Ceremonies for then-Archbishop Aloysius Ambrozic, he was a member of the Catholic Charities’ Allocations Committee, helping to determine the responsible allocation of funds raised to support a variety of agencies.
“All of those things led me to the Cathedral… I can see now how God led me to that point. He prepared me to take on that role. It surprised me. I didn’t think I was going to make it sometimes,” he said with a laugh, “But even to this day, I walk in there and I can’t believe everything that was done.”
The historic restoration at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica brought to life a Garden of Eden theme within the Church’s interior, he explains.
“All the plaster work is vine and branches and they twine throughout the whole building. The whole idea of the height is reaching up and soaring up to God. The windows that live in light – stained glass windows are seen as the eyes of God – not just me looking at them, but God’s light coming to us…It wasn’t just making a building beautiful – it was creating faith again.”
From recreating the plans from the original Cathedral’s ceiling to bring to life the starry night sky to the stunning stained-glass windows and new Crypt Chapel, Msgr. Busch was involved in every aspect. When the Cathedral was closed for the first time in its history for three months amidst the restoration efforts, it was the parishioners whom he always kept top of mind.
“During that time, there was a group of parishioners who came to the Cathedral every morning to pray outside the gates of the building to have it back together. They considered it their home. That shows you the committed faith and that’s what kept me going and got me through all the difficult moments.”
Throughout the restoration process, when the construction crews had cleared out for the weekend, he would go down to the crypt and stand or sit in front of Bishop Michael Power’s tomb.
“It’s still one of my favourite places in the Cathedral. I would connect with him and the spirit of the place. That was the heart of the building. We had to redo that area to show that was an important aspect of the Cathedral…I think he guided me through this.”
Carol Bragagnolo, the project manager who worked with Msgr. Busch on the restoration, says that while he carried the weight of history on his shoulders, he never lost sight of the living Church – the people of God who needed this sacred home.
“Those who worked alongside him speak not only of his determination, but of his compassion, his willingness to listen and his unshakeable belief that beauty and faith belong together.”
“Every decision, from structural reinforcements to sacred worship artistry, was guided by Msgr. Busch’s unwavering commitment to faith, beauty and accessibility for generations to come.”
Having retired in 2024, Msgr. Busch now lives in Sarnia, Ont., close to relatives and friends that he’s known for years.
“They really need help here,” he says. “They don’t have many priests.” For seven parishes, there is one pastor and three associates – and 13 Sunday Masses. He helps as much as he can with Masses, retreats and talks. “It’s quieter, but I’m enjoying it.”
For more information on The Shepherds’ Trust, please visit https://www.shepherdstrust.org/.
