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DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) – Catholic churches in Ireland are appealing for information about the location of nine Catholics murdered between 1972 and 1985 and whose bodies were buried in secret. Priests in the Archdiocese of Armagh, Northern Ireland, issued the appeal at Masses the first weekend in January. Other Catholic churches in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland were to continue the appeal in January and planned to place posters in church lobbies and notices in parish bulletins and newsletters.

This letter is in response to Charles Schutz letter (CR Jan. 04) titled “‘X-mas’ is offensive”. During this past season of Advent a friend had given me a book of reflections entitled , “The Little Blue Book, Advent and Christmas Seasons 2006-2007” based upon the writings of Bishop Ken Untener, Diocese of Saginaw. In that I read, ‘X-mas’ – It is sometimes thought that the abbreviation “X-mas” is disrespectful. It takes Christ out of Christmas.

St. Sylvester I became pope in 314. He led the church during the time of Constantine the Great. He sent legates (people appointed as the pope’s personal representatives) to the First Council of Nicaea. Constantine was generous to the church, and St. Sylvester was able to build some of the great churches in Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s and what became known as St. John Lateran. St. Sylvester I died in 335.

St. Thomas Becket was born in London in 1118. He served as archdeacon of Canterbury and chancellor of England. He was ordained in 1162 and became archbishop of Canterbury. This saint resisted the king’s interference in church matters. He was martyred in 1170. St. Thomas Becket is patron saint of the clergy.

St. John the Evangelist, the brother of St. James the Great, was a fisherman. Jesus called John to follow him, and John became “the beloved disciple.” He was at the Last Supper and stood at the foot of the cross during Jesus’ passion. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles and possibly the Book of Revelation. He died circa 101. St. John the Evangelist is patron saint of authors, booksellers, editors, printers, writers and theologians.

St. Stephen the Martyr was a preacher and deacon who became the first Christian martyr. He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He was preaching the Gospel outdoors when an angry mob stoned him to death circa the year 33. St. Stephen is patron saint of deacons, headaches, horses and masons.

Today is the feast of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), a holy day of obligation. This feast celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Merry Christmas!

St. Philogonius of Antioch was a lawyer and widower. This patriarch of Antioch was vocally opposed to Arianism. He died in 324.

St. Winebald, along with brothers St. Willibald and St. Walburga, was a son of St. Richard the King. He made a pilgrimage from his homeland of England to the Holy Land. However, he became ill and lived in Rome for seven years to recover and study. After returning to England, he went to Germany with St. Boniface to evangelize the people. This saint founded a monastery Heidenheim, Germany. He died in that town in 761.

St. Adelaide, the daughter of a king of Upper Burgundy, had an arranged marriage. At 16, she married the man who became a king of Italy. He died in 950. She married Otto the Great in 951, and he became emperor in 952. When Otto died in 973, his son, Otto II, became emperor. Otto II and his wife, Theophano, mistreated Adelaide. When Otto II died, his young son, Otto III, became emperor. After Theophano died, Adelaide acted as regent for Otto III until he grew up. She helped the poor and evangelized; she also built churches. She died in 999. St. Adelaide is patron saint of abuse victims, empresses, princesses and step-parents.

St. Valerian was born circa 377. He served as a bishop in Africa. He refused to give sacred vessels to vandals who demanded them; they left him in the street to die circa 457.