From 1889, priests visited Mildura from as far away as Charlton, Ballarat, Wilcannia and Wentworth to celebrate Mass in private homes.

One such visit by Fr Costelloe of Charlton was recorded by The Advocate newspaper:

Rev Fr Costelloe’s parish extends as far as Swan Hill and Mildura. The former is 72 miles from Charlton and the latter is 120 miles from Swan Hill. As there are not many Catholics at present in Mildura, and the place is so distant, Fr Costelloe is only enabled to visit it every three months.

The Rev. gentleman, during his visits, is very courteously received by Messrs, Chaffey Bros., who have granted him an eligible site for a church containing three-quarters of an acre, and have promised another quarter. Besides this, Fr Costelloe has himself purchased a block of two and a half acres in the centre of the town for church purposes.
Source: The Advocate, 1 November, 1890, page 16

In 2005, Monsignor Les Tomlinson who grew up in Sunraysia, reflects on his memories of parish life and education with the Sisters of Mercy. The significance of these formative years and experiences, he considers, have 'impacted and forged profoundly', his life and ministry right to the present in his role as Vicar General of the Melbourne Archdiocese.

During the centenary, numerous changes have occurred within the Parish. Merbein, Red Cliffs and Werrimull have become parishes in their own right. Werrimull has had two periods of being an independant parish. In 1998 Sr Marion McDonald assumed responsibility for the Merbein Parish and continues in that role.

Listed below are priests who have mininstered to our community. Some priests ministering to other local parishes have been included as, over the years, there have been many instances where paths have crossed and experiences have been shared.

Priests who have ministered to the Sunraysia community
Fr Dan Arundell (1964-68)
Fr Andrew Bell (1990-92)
Fr Remigio Birollo (1966-67) (Red Cliffs)
Fr Patrick Bohan (1957)
Fr Rupert Bowd (1981-85)
Fr T Browne (1948-50)
Fr Tom Brophy (1973-77, 2003--)
Rev R P Bushell (1943-48)
Fr J Connellan (1933-39)
Fr James Conway (1931-32)
Mons. John Day (1956-72)
Fr Delahenty (1951-55)
Fr W Dwyer (1968)
Fr M Gaffney (1921-25)
Fr T Glynn (1932-33)
Fr J Green (1941-53) (Red Cliffs)
Fr Laurie Halloran (1959-64)
Fr A J Hurley (1905-06)
Fr T Hussey (1949-56)
Fr John Kelly (1949-51)
Fr J E Leyden (1920-21)
Fr T Linane (1939-42)
Fr Michael Linehan (1978-80)
Fr P Lynch (1925-30)
Fr Dennis McCarthy (Merbein)
Fr H McCauley (1907)
Fr M McCormick (1955-56)
Mons. Frank McKenzie (1972-75)
Fr Eugene McKinnon (1975-76)
Fr John McKinnon (1998-2003)
Fr Edward Maloney (2003-06)
Fr D Meagher (1942-43)
Fr John Monaghan (2006--)
Fr W (Bill) Melican (1968-71)
Fr Frank Monaghan (1955--)
Fr Sydney Morey (1961-63)
Fr Patrick Mugavin (1979-81, 1993-2003)
Fr Dan Murphy (1975-79, 1992-98)
Fr John Murphy (1907-09)
Fr D O'Brien (1960-61)
Fr K O'Brien (1985-86)
Fr D O'Hagan (1967-68)
Fr D O'Shea (1972-73)
Fr Geoff Peck (1985-87)
Fr Gerard Prunty (1979-81)
Fr Gerald Ridsdale (1964)
Fr Barry Ryan (1968)
Fr Denis Ryan (1987-89)
Fr James Ryan (1909-29)
Fr John Russell (Merbein)
Fr T Scanlon (1934-35)
Fr Les Sheahan (1963-65, 1975-84)
Fr Rodger Shepherd (1953-55)
Fr Peter Sherman (1982-85)
Fr R Sullivan (1956)
Fr Peter Taffe (1968-72)
Mons. Timmons (1938-49)
Fr Dan Torpy (1971-74)
Fr Brian Welsh (1999-2000)
Fr Paul Zundolovich (Wentworth)