The Rev. Fr. Ambrose O. Ugwuegbu was born on November 10, 1953 in Nguru, Imo State, Nigeria, in the West African Sub-Region.  The son of John and Bernadette Ugwuegbu, he attended St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, UmuowaOrlu, and St. Peter Cleaver Seminary, Okpala.  He was ordained on August 15, 1987, at Maria Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri.
 
After serving in many priestly roles and assisting in the formation of young seminarians in his home diocese, Maria Mater Ecclesia Ahaira, he came to the United States.
 
Father Ambrose served as a parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Carmichael from 1997 to 2004.  From 2004 to early 2008, Father Ambrose served at many parishes starting with St. Philomene in Sacramento.  He was then appointed Chaplain for the UC Davis Medical Center and associate pastor for Immaculate Conception Parish in Sacramento.  Following this, he was associate pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Carmichael.  Father Ambrose also served as associate pastor at All Hallows and St. Peter Parish in Sacramento.  He was then assigned as associate pastor at St. Isidore Parish in Yuba City. 

During this busy time, he also earned a degree in Pastoral Psychology from the California State University Sacramento.
 
Father Ambrose called St. Dominic Parish in Colfax home from 2008-2011, where he served as parochial administrator.  During this time Father Ambrose became a citizen of the United States on Ash Wednesday, 2010.  Father Ambrose became the Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Susanville, on July 1, 2011.