St Patrick's Church 

 Mt Moriac

St Patrick’s Mt Moriac (built in 1858 & rebuilt in 1951) was a significant landmark on the Princes Highway, one of 5 churches which formed the Winchelsea Parish. Following the dismemberment of that parish in 2004, St Patrick’s became part of St Bernard’s Parish. This extended St Bernard’s parish boundary to include the rural areas of Moriac, Mount Moriac and Modewarre.

With one priest, St Bernard’s was not able to provide weekly masses, but on significant liturgical occasions, every effort was made to celebrate Mass, especially at Christmas and Easter. Following retirement, Mons James Murray and Fr Peter Foley were a great support at these times. 

 The Good Friday Stations of the Cross were a significant liturgy for the community, with many from St Bernard’s taking the 10 min drive, to join the outdoor remembrance of Christ’s Passion and enjoy the country hospitality which followed.

 For mass each week, the parishioners ‘came in’ to St Bernard’s. In 2017 practical considerations led to the difficult decision to sell the church building. One of the last ceremonies was the wedding of Megan Russell, which was very fitting, considering the long association of the Russell families with St Patrick’s church community.