Rev. Ihemedu has always believed that a life that does not touch another life in a positive way is a wasted life. This value set, of making a humane difference in the lives of others, came from his parents. Early in life they taught him and siblings that for many the hope of “being-and-becoming” a valued community member depends on the ability to respond. For his father, imparting knowledge is one crucial way to unlock the doors of opportunities. This is what motivated him to pursue a career in education and teaching and to encourage his children when they chose to follow likewise. Except for his mother who worked at home, everyone in his family is a career educator of some sort. It is the same underlying philosophy – of touching hearts and changing lives, that moved Rev. Ihemedu to discern a path that joins the human spiritual ministry through a vocation in the Catholic priesthood with a pursuit of further service through counselor education and counseling psychology. 

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Following priestly ordination on May 20, 2006, he served as an assistant pastor of Saint Aedan and Saint Brendan Parishes in New Haven for three years. In August of 2009, Archbishop Mansell appointed him the pastor of the two dying and almost pronounced unsustainable multicultural parishes in Hartford, St. Justin and St. Michael. With a committed staff and willing parishioners, he took on the rebirth process which gradually resulted in steady renewal over six years, and thereafter to the successful merger of the two parishes.

During this journey, as some of the blessings that helped teach him how to minister, commune with, and to keep striving along as a member of his communities are: a B.A in Philosophy 2001; M.A. in Moral Theology 2004 and M.Div. in Theology 2006 (from Mount Saint Mary’s University & Seminary); M.S. in Counseling 2012 (Southern Connecticut State University) and a PhD in Counseling Psychology 2018 (University of Connecticut).

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