Mothers’ Union leadership centred at Cathedral
Is it mere happenstance, or something more that has led to the leadership of Mothers’ Union in the diocese, in Canada and in the world all based at Christ Church Cathedral?
It didn’t occur to MU Worldwide President Kathleen Snow until the Rev. Isabel Cutler mentioned it late last year.
“Isn’t it amazing that we have these three roles in our little Cathedral branch. Why is that?” asked Kathleen.
Lilian Ketch is the diocesan president of MU, now into her second year. This is her second time in that role.
Susan Watson is the president of the Canadian province of MU, which oversees the entire country. She too, is in the second year of her term.
Kathleen was elected worldwide president in the summer of 2024 and was commissioned in London in March 2025. She has a three-year term, with the possibility of an additional three years to serve; most worldwide presidents serve two consecutive terms.
Kathleen previously served as a worldwide zonal trustee of MU, representing the Provinces of Canada, USA, West Indies and South America.
“It’s interesting how this has come about,” said Kathleen. “We have very strong Mothers’ Union leadership in our diocese.”
“I think it provides us with a unique opportunity to really work together and communicate well on all levels,” said Susan.
Kathleen is a founding member of the Cathedral branch of MU, beginning in 1988.
Lilian was commissioned on Mothering Sunday, in March 1987 in the Parish of New Maryland, but later moved to the Cathedral.
Susan was commissioned in April 1989 at the Cathedral.
150 YEARS
MU will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. It will hold two gatherings, one in the UK in June, and one in Durban, South Africa in September.
“I’m really looking forward to the 150th anniversary,” said Susan. “I’m shepherding a little flock of 21 members to London in June. Most are from the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.”
All three women will attend the Durban conference.
KATHLEEN
Since her commissioning almost a year ago, Kathleen has visited various MU dioceses and Branches in the UK. As well, she met the new Royal Patron of MU, HRH Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
Last May she was invited to Rome to attend the International Union of Sisters General, a group of 1,000 nuns from around the world who work on-the-ground in parishes, fighting for causes close to the heart of all MU members.
She was back in the UK in June last year to visit the Province of York MU groups and attend a Britain and Ireland leadership conference.
In September she returned to attend the consecration of the Bishop of Doncaster.
She will be just as busy in 2026, attending the Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, to be held in Bahrain in February. Of course she will attend the two anniversary conferences as well.
SUSAN
As Canadian president, Susan attended a Provincial gathering in Antigua last year and was part of a discussion panel on the future of MU.
“The things you don’t ever expect to be doing!” said Susan. “I didn’t even know what a discussion panel was!
“It’s an exciting role and a bit adventurous,” she said. “I’m meeting a lot of people from across Canada and around the world.”
During her presidency, Susan plans to visit areas of Canada that have had branches in the past, and areas that have never had a branch — all in an effort to bolster the membership and impact of MU.
LILIAN
Lilian attended Kathleen’s commissioning service in London a year ago and is looking forward to the Durban Worldwide Gathering later this year.
“I find that when a member gets outside the box and sees how Mothers’ Union works at the diocesan level, even the global level, you really get a feel for how big Mothers’ Union is.”
Lilian is the conference coordinator for the Canadian Council of MU, which will meet in late June at Villa Madonna in Rothesay. It’s a business meeting but with more activities, which will see branch members gather from across Canada.
CONCLUSION
While there doesn’t seem to be a definite answer to the question of the Cathedral leadership of MU, Kathleen is certain that encouraging each other has played a role in all their lives.
“It was Alice Kennedy who pushed me to first put my name forward,” she said. “And one day I said to Susan, ‘you need to put your name forward for Provincial President.’ It’s people who plant the seeds. We encourage each other.”
“We know each other’s strengths,” said Susan.
The MU mandate is to support and grow strong families and work for change to address social injustice. The three pillars of the MU movement are to end poverty, end injustice, and end violence against women.
Mothers’ Union has about four million members in 84 countries. Membership is open to both women and men.
Photo caption
Mothers' Union has a unique concentration of leaders at its Cathedral Branch. Kathleen Snow, at left, is the worldwide president of Mothers’ Union. Susan Watson, centre, is the president of the Canadian province of MU, which oversees the entire country. And Lillian Ketch, at right, is the diocesan president of MU. All three have been MU members at the Cathedral for decades and have held various leadership positions, but for the past year, the diocesan, national and worldwide presidents have been from Fredericton. McKnight photo