Now what were they thinking - the Catholic Church’s “Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments’ ? St. Patrick’s Day festivities across much of the world have been changed this year thanks to the Church’s decision to move the festive holiday to avoid a conflict with the beginning of Holy Week observances and activities. And while the move has set well with some Irish-American communities, other groups are refusing to change the traditional March 17 date for St., Patty Day. In Ohio, Columbus Bishop Frederick F. Campbell's request to city officials that the parade's date be moved was not heeded. New York's traditional parade will take place March 17 on Fifth Avenue. Boston's parade will be March 16, which is Palm Sunday and also the first day of Holy Week. Dublin, Ireland, will host its St. Patrick's parade as usual March 17. Philadelphia and Milwaukee changed their parade dates to avoid conflicts. To the typical Irish-American, changing the date for traditional parades may not be much of problem. As one San Antonio man reports, it simply extends the number of days a person is allowed to drink green beer. The San Antonio River Dyeing Celebration, a traditional event to mark the special day in the Alamo City, will be extended this year. The San Antonio river will be dyed green on Friday, March 14 and again on Sunday, March 16. The ‘Pub Crawl’, where celebrants visit as many pubs along the Riverwalk as they can during the four event, will also be staged on Friday night. The St. Patrick’s Day River Parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday. On South Padre Island St. Patrick’s Day always falls in the middle of the peak spring break season. And anyone who knows spring breakers knows that everyday is St. Patrick’s Day when visiting the Island. While no local parades are being planned and no official St. Patrick’s Day ceremonies scheduled as far as our research could uncover, local bars and nightclubs report they will be staging St. Patty’s Day themed events just to keep the Irish happy. And yes, that’s the Irish from Notre Dame University - on the Island for spring break this week. B’ Gosh and B’ Gorrah - a few extra days to celebrate!