Archbishop Daniel Mannix entrusted the Parish of Sorrento to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1926. The Oblates were keen to extend their Mission to the eastern states of Australia from Fremantle WA, where they had been since 1894. The Parish included St. Mary's Star of the Sea, Sorrento (built 1876), St. Thomas' Church, Portsea (built in 1903) and the townships of Rye and Tootgarook.

Fr. Thomas Hayes OMI was appointed the first Parish Priest and work began on building the Mission house behind the original limestone church. The building was completed and opened in 1929 serving as a canonical house and as a Novitiate for the Oblates.

In 1930 Holy Family Church in Weeroona Street, Rye was built and opened in 1931.

In 1932 the Sisters of Mercy in Mornington were approached to staff a Catholic Primary School in Sorrento.

St. Joseph's School was opened on 24th January, 1932 with 48 students under the guidance of Sr Mary Gabriel RSM and Sr Mary Alberta RSM. The Sisters of Mercy served the Parish in the school from 1932 until 1983. They continued to serve in the Parish assisting the Oblate Priests until 2018.

The Oblates were given the care of Rosebud in 1952 and the church, Our Lady of Fatima, was built on Nepean Highway in 1955. Rosebud was made a separate Parish under the care of the Oblates in April 1979. The Oblates relinquished the Parish of Rosebud back to the Archdiocese in 1992.

In 1963 the original church at Sorrento was demolished to make way for a bigger church to cater for the growing number of Parishioners and visitors. The stained glass windows and limestone from the original church building were incorporated into the new church. The Solemn Blessing and official opening by Archbishop Justin Simonds took place on Sunday 6th January, 1963.