By Dr. Carly York | Correspondent

The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 is quickly approaching, and parishes and schools around the Diocese are gearing up to commemorate the feast of Ireland’s beloved saint by joining in festivities taking place throughout the month. Following is a schedule of events that have been announced. 

• Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly, celebrates St. Patrick’s Day “in a big way,” said Kathryn Besheer, principal.

The students, Besheer noted, enjoy a surprise “Green Out” Day in which they are given the option to “dress down” and wear Irish green clothing. The school also celebrates by hosting a “Beef & Beer” dinner that has come to be the biggest fundraiser of the year. This year’s dinner is scheduled for March 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. and will feature a DJ, dinner and dancing. Tickets can be purchased by calling the school office at 609-267-1728.

• On March 9 at 1 p.m., the Hamilton Patrick’s Day Parade starts from the Nottingham Fire House on Mercer Street, Hamilton Square. Prior to the start of the parade, Father Patrick McDonnell, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, will offer a blessing at 12:30. The Hibernians march in the parade with bagpipes and drums. Following the parade, a post-parade party will continue the festivities at the Hibernian Hall. One feature of the parade will include the participation of Grace Conboy, a senior at Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, who was named “Miss St. Patrick’s Day” for 2019. Conboy received a $2,000 scholarship for her outstanding academic and performing arts achievements at Notre Dame. The scholarship was presented by the parade’s scholarship committee which has been awarding scholarship funds to students throughout its 34 year history.

• In Monmouth Beach, Precious Blood Parish, 72 Riverdale Ave., will host its annual Irish Dinner Dance on March 9 starting at 6:30 p.m. The Irish music band, Blackwater, will be the featured entertainment. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the parish office.

• In Ocean County, the Seaside Heights St. Patrick’s Day parade will step off at noon March 9. Prior to the parade, Conventual Franciscan Father Michael Lorentsen, pastor of St. Junipero Serra parish, Seaside Park, will celebrate a “kick-off” Mass at 10 a.m. in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church worship site, 100 Grant Ave., Seaside Heights.

• Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, will march in the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 10. At the beginning of the parade, Holy Cross pastor, Father Michael Manning, will bless parade participants, which include parishioners who will carry banners of replica silkscreen-paintings of the Irish Saints that are featured in the stained-glass windows of Holy Cross Church.

• St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, will have a presence in the Robbinsville Parade on March 16. At 8:30 a.m., the parish will celebrate a traditional Irish Mass. Then at 11:30, Father Michael McClane, pastor, will bless the parade at its opening ceremony. Parishioners are scheduled to march in the parade.

• St. Patrick’s Day festivities will continue March 18 at 7:30 p.m. when Irish singer Emmet Cahill returns to St. Mary Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road, Middletown, to perform a new concert, the “Blessings of Music.” The concert will feature traditional Irish songs and hymns from his latest album of the same name. Members of the parish’s adult and children’s choirs will support Cahill in his performance. Last year, more than 400 people attended this evening of authentic Irish music.

General admission tickets are $30 or $45 that includes a special meet-and-greet with Cahill. Tickets are available by calling the parish office at 732-671-0071.