Through humour, stories of family life, and practical advice, Dr Edward Sri urged parishioners to see prayer as friendship with Christ during a free talk at Winston Hills, sparking renewed passion across St Paul the Apostle Parish.
On Saturday 30 August, more than 200 faithful filled the church to hear the internationally renowned theologian, author and Catholic speaker.
For many, the day centred on one desire: to draw closer to Christ. That longing was reflected in the parish’s thriving new ministries – from youth, men’s and women’s groups, music and dance, to an extended choir – launched by Parish Priest Fr John Paul Escarlan to help parishioners live their faith more deeply in community.
Dr Sri, a father of eight and grandfather of one, is a familiar voice to many. He leads pilgrimages to Rome and the Holy Land, hosts the popular All Things Catholic podcast, and has authored several best-selling books.
Prayer as dialogue with God
In his talk, Grow Your Faith, Dr Sri urged the faithful to see prayer not as a task but as a conversation. Listening to podcasts, praying the Rosary, and reflecting on the sacrifice of Christ at Mass are valuable, but he reminded the audience that prayer should not become “a study hall.” Instead, it should be a “dialogue” with God, talking to Him about what we’ve read, heard, or experienced.
Dr Edward Sri during a presentation at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills. Image: Isabell Petrinic/Diocese of Parramatta
“Prayer is a relationship. Like with a friend, be yourself. Do you talk to Jesus? Do you just bear your heart? God wants closeness, union, intimacy with you.”
“People often say, ‘I don’t have time to pray,’” he said. “Making 15 minutes a day for dialogue with God is a good starting point.”
“Put Jesus in your schedule. He’s your most important appointment.”
Prayer in daily life
Dr Sri explained that Jesus, the “divine physician,” longs to heal us, but only if we make space for Him.
“My wife Elizabeth and our eight children need Christ radiating through me,” he said. “That can only happen if I have a daily prayer life.”
To show how prayer fits into everyday life, he described his wife’s habit of preparing a thermos of coffee before bed so she could rise early for prayer before the bustle of breakfast and children.
Encountering God in the liturgy
Turning to the Mass, Dr Sri reminded the faithful that the Liturgy is a sacred journey.
“You’re not just going to Church. You are going to encounter the Almighty God Himself in the Liturgy of the Word,” he said.
He challenged members of the faithful to prepare for Mass by reading the Scriptures in advance or arriving early to pray.
Dr Edward Sri during a presentation at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills. Image: Isabell Petrinic/Diocese of Parramatta
To illustrate faith, he shared the story of a tightrope walker crossing Niagara Falls blindfolded while pushing a wheelbarrow. After one successful crossing, the man asked the crowd if they believed he could do it again with someone inside the wheelbarrow. The crowd shouted yes — until asked who would volunteer.
“There’s belief… and then there’s belief,” Dr Sri said. “Are you willing to get in the wheelbarrow with God?”
Parishioner perspectives
For parishioner Sally Jelwan, Dr Sri’s presence was deeply personal. A long-time listener of his podcast and a past participant in one of his courses, she described herself as a “cradle Catholic” whose faith was reignited during the COVID lockdowns.
“Everything was quiet then,” she recalled. “I developed this hunger to learn more about my faith. That’s why I’m here.”
She found Dr Sri’s message relatable and reassuring.
“What really resonated with me was when he said, ‘We are all human’ and ‘Never give up.’ That it’s okay we’re not perfect — He’s our friend and always there for us.”
For 21-year-old Olga Schepotkima, the excitement of hearing Dr Sri in person was undeniable.
“I love Edward Sri! He’s just so passionate, very engaging. I’ll be recommending him to my friends.”
Olga Schepotkima (left) and Sally Jelwan following a presentation from Dr Edward Sri at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills. Image: Isabell Petrinic/Diocese of Parramatta
A parish on fire
The event was also a proud moment for the parish’s new Women’s Ministry, which coordinated Dr Sri’s visit. Member Shantha Fonseka described their goal as simple: fellowship.
“We’re trying to create a fellowship within the parish to support each other,” Shantha said.
Sri Lankan-born Shantha, who this year celebrated 50 years of marriage, has three children and eight grandchildren.
“God has done great things in my life, and now I want to give back,” she said.
Parish Pastoral Committee member Shantha Fonseka with husband of 50 years, Winston following a presentation from Dr Edward Sri at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills. Image: Isabell Petrinic/Diocese of Parramatta
She described Dr Sri as “such an inspiring man” and noted that his visit sparked fresh enthusiasm.
“All the women – even from neighbouring parishes – want to join our ministry. They see the fire. There’s a lot of passion to learn more here, and to be role models for the children.”
Overcoming struggles in prayer
Dr Sri acknowledged that prayer is not always easy. He pointed to St Catherine of Siena, who endured spiritual dryness but persevered, trusting God saw her intentions.
He suggested turning off phones to minimise distractions, joking, “The world won’t end in those 15 to 20 minutes. And if it does, that’s okay. You’ll be with Jesus.”
Quoting St Thomas Aquinas, he reassured: “We’re not angels. We’re human beings. We’ll get distracted.” God, he said, “delights in our good intentions to try and pray.”
To bring that home, he shared a Mother’s Day memory. His young children once brought flowers to their mother – except they were weeds. Elizabeth received them with joy because she “saw beyond the vase into their hearts.”
“When you feel like your vase is empty, give God that nothing — your ‘weeds’ — and He will delight in that,” Dr Sri said.
Finally, he left the faithful with the wisdom of St Thérèse of Lisieux: “Never leave your prayer time discouraged.”
This initiative aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer and Formation, so we can be A Church Renewed in Spirit and Prayer. To learn more, visit Synodality.
