Fans of that most famous of all Irish Catholic saints, Patrick, will be celebrating his feast a few days ahead of time this year, due to a rare calendar conflict.
For the first time since 1940 -- and the last time until 2160 -- St. Patrick's Day will fall during Holy Week, the sacred seven days preceding Easter. Because of the overlap, liturgical rules dictate that no Mass in honor of the saint can be celebrated on Monday, March 17, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Locally, the same holds true: There will be no Mass for St. Patrick on Monday in any Catholic church, including at the namesake parishes in Dubuque and Garryowen, Iowa. All festivities scheduled around the feast day will be held beforehand.
At Dubuque's St. Patrick Church, the traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage dinner is planned for Saturday, March 15, after the 4 p.m. Mass.
"It's always a pretty low-key affair. We just eat and sing Irish songs," explained the Rev. Ardell Barta, the parish's sacramental priest.
Garryowen's St. Patrick Church has already celebrated,
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Nationally, a few Roman Catholic leaders are asking for even more moderation in their dioceses: They want parades and other festivities kept out of Holy Week as well. Recognizing the religious roots of the popular St. Patrick's Day traditions, a number of cities have rescheduled their secular celebrations, although some have held fast to their plans for Irish parades on St. Patrick's Day.
As luck would have it, two major parades to honor St. Patrick locally happen to fall on an acceptable date -- Saturday.
Dubuque's parade used to be planned for St. Patrick's Day itself, until Dyersville started sponsoring its own parade more than 10 years ago.
"We decided there's no need to compete. This way, entries can be in both parades if they want," said Ken Siegert, a member of the Dubuqueland Irish Committee, sponsors of the parade. Dyersville's parade, and therefore Dubuque's, is always scheduled for the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day.
Following the Dubuque parade, a big party is planned at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 781 Locust St., from 6 p.m. There will be live musical entertainment on two floors, with young Irish dancers. Food and beverages will be for sale. Cost is $7 for adults and free for children younger than 12, accompanied by an adult.
But the organizers of the annual St. Patty's Day parade in Galena, Ill., feel St. Patrick's Day just isn't the same if it's celebrated on a different date.
"We're traditionalists. I mean, Christmas isn't Christmas if it's celebrated on Dec. 12," said Mary Blankenbaker, co-owner of Benjamin's restaurant and bar . For the 21st year, the Benjamin's Community Foundation will sponsor a parade on St. Patrick's Day, this year on Monday.
The Galena parade has grown from 22 people the first year to more than 200, including bands, floats, shelter dogs, fire trucks and "clans."
-- Associated Press contributed