The St. Paul St. Patrick's Day Association has moved its annual parade up two days so it won't interfere with Holy Week celebrations.

The parade featuring bands, floats and community groups, will be held at noon March 15 in downtown St. Paul instead of on the traditional St. Patrick's Day on March 17, the association said.

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. Consequently, the Catholic Church has moved its feast day of St. Patrick to March 15. The Cathedral of Saint Paul at 239 Selby Avenue will hold mass at 9 a.m. March 15.

The last time St. Patrick's Day activities were moved was back in 1940 when it coincided with Palm Sunday. Festivities that year were moved to April 3.

St. Patrick's Day and Holy Week won't match up again for 152 years.

To coincide with the parade, Landmark Center will hold its St. Patrick's Day of Irish Celebration on March 15. The day featuring Celtic music, dancing and vendors runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Irish Music and Dance Association's Day of Irish Dance has been moved up to March 16 at Landmark Center.

The St. Patrick's Day Association of Minneapolis' events will be on March 17 as usual.

"We're rebelling," a spokeswoman association said.

The Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Parade will still be held on March 17. The parade on Nicollet Mall from 13th Street to 5th Street begins at 6:30 p.m. The Blarney Blast, a post-parade party at the Fine Line Music Cafe, follows.

For details on St. Paul events, see www.stpatsassoc.org. In Minneapolis, see www.mplsstpats.org.