Responding to God's Call/Fr. Showri Rayalu Kalva

IC Archive photo

+ Enlarge

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of personal vocation stories from seminarians, religious women, deacons and priests in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

“I have discerned my true calling is to serve God’s children.”

I was born on Sept. 5, 1967, and my family had me baptized Catholic. At the age of 8, I was orphaned, along with my younger sister. I mingled with the other street children, collecting food thrown out just as one would discard a cigarette to the ground. I also would collect and smoke the discarded cigarette pieces just as the other street boys did.

As it became difficult to find food for my sister and myself, I began working with a family to care for their water buffaloes. That job helped me to pay for both food and education for us. I met Sister Monica while I was working one day. She visited families of the parish, especially looking for children who needed help. While she was visiting, she asked the owner about me while I was tending to the animals. Sister Monica decided to take my little sister and me to the convent to join other orphans who had been brought there. She helped provide food and an education until my graduation.

From there, I joined the seminary. I was not certain it was my interest or calling but I informed Sister Monica that I was try my best. I did successfully finish the seminary training and on March 10, 1995, I became a priest.  

My first Mass on March 11, 1995, was in India. The inspiration to help other orphans with and for my priesthood hit me deeply while doing my individual prayers after that Mass. Currently, there are 48 orphans in my orphanage. Incredibly, Sister Monica still runs the orphanage! My goal is to help provide all of the children with the services they need so that they may get all the opportunities that I was given.

By these and other actions, I have discerned my true calling is to serve God’s children.  

Fr. Showri Rayalu Kalva is administrator of St. James the Greater Parish in Vernal.