New pastor assignments/Fr. Showri Rayalu Kalva

Intermountain Catholic

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Father Showri Rayalu Kalva

Several parishes and missions in the Diocese of Salt Lake City will receive new pastors or administrators on Aug. 1. Here is a brief introduction to those who will take the assignments.

Father Showri Rayalu Kalva

Father Showri Rayalu Kalva was born in Kethepally, India. He attended St. Xavier High School at Sulyaped, Loyolanagur and Andhra Loyola College at Vijayawala. He then entered St. John’s Regional Seminary in Hyderabad, where he studied theology; following that he studied philosophy at St. John’s Seminary in Kondadhaba. He was ordained a priest on March 10, 1995 by the Most Rev. Innaiah Addagatla for the Diocese of Nalgonda. He served in various positions in the dioceses of Nalgonda and Kurnool, including as parochial vicar and pastor. From 2005 to 2007 he was in Camden, N.J., where he served as parochial vicar. In 2013 he arrived in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, where he has been administrator of St. Helen Parish in Roosevelt and temporary parochial vicar of St. Patrick Parish in Salt Lake City. On Aug. 1 he will become the administrator of St. James the Greater Parish in Vernal.

What would you like your new parishioners to know about you?

I would like them to know why I am a priest and why I am dedicated to serving all of God’s people.

What are you looking forward to most about your new assignment?

I have often served at Saint James the Greater Parish, and my new assignment will give me a chance to know and serve all of the parishioners in a deeper and more spiritual level.

As a priest, what has been your biggest challenge?

English is not my native language, so there are times when we get lost using the same words! Even more, in my parishes in India, they are crowded with members faithfully attending, not only on Sundays but during the week and for all of the holy celebrations and obligations. Parishioners dash to the churches as they finish their workdays; Ash Wednesday is always very crowded.  I wish we could get our American parishioners to attend as eagerly and devoutly.

As a priest, what has been your most satisfying experience?

As a child and orphan, I was on the edge of getting lost in the wrong way. But I had a sister to care for, and God called Sister Monica to make sure I had an education and support when I felt His calling to serve.  I continue to care for the orphanage to make sure other boys have the same support and education.