Rev. Ambrose Onyedimmanazu Ugwuegbu
Rev. Ambrose Onyedimmanazu Ugwuegbu was assigned to St. Isidore Parish from August 2007 until November 23, 2007. Fr. Ambrose writes:
I was born in Nigeria, in Imo State in the West African sub-region, into the family of the late John and Bernadette Ugwuegbu in 1953. We were nine children in the family—six girls and three boys; I am the eighth child. My father John died when I was 5, and my mother died in September 2003. Three of my siblings are deceased: one of them was shot and killed when we fought a civil war in Nigeria (1966-70); one sister died in a motor accident; and another one died of a natural cause, leaving four girls and two boys. I have numerous nephews and nieces, all of them living in Nigeria.
Seminary Formation: I came from a staunch Catholic family. I cannot forget family rosary before any of us went to bed . As a small child, my mother took me to morning Mass every day; even the days I wanted to enjoy my sweet early morning sleep, she would wake me up and insist that I go. I didn't know she was preparing me for something! In the process, the Irish priests who were in the parish at that time recruited me to be an altar server. I was greatly inspired by their zeal and dedication to their priestly ministry, especially their selfless sacrifices during the civil war in my country which interrupted my education. They loved me very much because I used to dress well. I was also very smart and circumspect. It was after my ordination to the priesthood that my mother revealed that I used to play the priest when I was a child, with a piece of bread and a cup of water, facing the wall because it was the time Latin Masses were celebrated.
From being an altar server, I took entrance to the minor seminary (St Mary's Seminary Umuowa Orlu) and was accepted in 1972 . I was 19 years old when I entered the seminary, and was ordained on August 15, 1987. Prior to my ordination , I earned a Diploma in philosophy, and a BA in Theology. After serving for two years as Associate Pastor, I obtained a master’s degree in Theology from the Catholic Institute of West Africa (C. I.W.A.). Immediately after my studies, Rt. Rev. Dr. V.A. Chikwe, my home Bishop, appointed me rector of St. Mulumba Spiritual Year Seminary (a preparatory house of formation for seminarians getting ready to enter senior seminary). I was involved with this formation for five years. In between these years I was a parish priest for one full year. It was another fruitful year that broadened my pastoral experience.
Presence in America: As I was preparing my summer vacation to New York Archdiocese, and I was waiting for a formal invitation from the parish where I was to spend my vacation, my Bishop asked me if I would like to go to the Diocese of Sacramento for missionary work. I accepted without hesitation because I really wanted to come out and experience other people's culture. As St. Augustine said, "The world is a book; if you have not traveled you are only reading the introduction.”
The short story of my journey here was as a result of a request from the bishop of Sacramento. My own home bishop told us that the Holy Father, the late John Paul II in one of his meetings with Bishops in Rome advised dioceses with enough priests to share with those who are lacking. During his conversation with Bishop W. Weigand, my Bishop agreed to send a priest to Sacramento Diocese and I was the lucky one!! It took only three weeks of paper work and I found myself in America.
Ministry/Appointments: Since my arrival almost 10 years ago, I have worked in different parishes. My first assignment was in St John the Evangelist, Carmichael; then St Philomene, Our Lady of Assumption, Immaculate Conception/Chaplain UCD Medical Center, and All Hallows/St. Peter’s in Sacramento. In the middle of these assignments, I went for international orientation at Loyola University in Orange County and Los Angeles. I did speech therapy at Sacramento State University to sharpen my English for better communication. This made a lot of sense because I came from a country with about 250 languages and many dialects.
I had the privilege of being the Bishop's appointee to the Diocesan Priest's Council from 2001-2006 and also a delegate of the recently concluded Diocesan Synod in Yuba City.
I am currently a member of the Sacramento Diocesan Continuing Education Committee.
Interests: I like to serve. I love culture in all its ramifications. I like to travel. I enjoy reading and music and am a people person. I like humor for it makes life less stressful and can brighten your mood. I prefer some bit of silence as a remote preparation before the celebration of the Eucharist. I love my priesthood. I am happy to be here in Yuba City, at St Isidore Catholic Church, and I love to be part of its rich history. Thank you all for welcoming me in your midst.