Sr Maria Teresa Shanahan, a Sister of Mercy of the Brisbane Congregation, celebrated her 100^th Birthday on 27 November. 

Birthday celebrations were held at Bethesda, Mercy Aged Care Services, Nudgee, where Sr Maria Teresa is a much loved resident. The spacious area outside the Chapel had been transformed into a place of celebration, and Sisters and residents gathered to share morning tea, tell stories, pray a blessing, followed by the traditional cake cutting.

Born in Goulane, Castletown, Co Cork, Ireland, Sr Maria Teresa has been a member of the Brisbane Congregation for more than 75 years. Special gifts received on the occasion of her 100^th birthday included an original painting of her home place, Castletownbere,  a commemorative publication of the centenary of the local Parish Church in Castletownbere, and a souvenir cross made from the roof nails of the original Church, in which she was baptized.