ISIS: Rise of Terror

HISTORY This new special charts the ascendance of the terror group that calls itself the Islamic State and is persecuting Christians and others in the Middle East. Advisory: Prepare for scenes of warfare and atrocities.
 

Called to Communion

EWTN Catechist David Anders takes calls from non-Catholics and asks them, “What is stopping you from becoming Catholic?” Re-airs 5am Thursday, 4pm Saturday.
 

USCCB Fall General Assembly

EWTN Our U.S. bishops will elect their president and vice president for the next three years, as well as new chairmen of five committees. They will also evaluate a strategic plan for 2017-2020 that advances the agendas of evangelization, human life and dignity, marriage and family, religious freedom and vocations/ongoing formation. Monday’s sessions are at 10:15am and 2pm. Tuesday’s sessions are at 9am and 2pm.
 

The Angel of Biscay: The Life and Message of Father Aloysius Ellacuria

EWTN This 2011 documentary about Basque-born Claretian Father Aloysius Ellacuria (1905-1981) describes his life and work in Spain, Portugal, Mexico and the United States. Re-airs 8pm Friday.
 

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES Catholic director Frank Capra helmed this 1939 comedy-drama in which corrupt politicians name a young naïf (James Stewart) to a Senate seat, hoping to manipulate him. But they are exposed after the appointee, eyes opened, defends integrity and American ideals in a stirring, exhausting 24-hour filibuster.
 

Francis Xavier and the Samurai’s Lost Treasure

EWTN This animated video mixes factual and partly fictionalized incidents to portray the sanctity and heroism of St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) during his efforts as a Jesuit missionary in India and Japan.
 

Solemn Mass for the Closing of the Holy Door

EWTN On the last Sunday of the liturgical year, as the Jubilee Year of Mercy draws to a close, Mass will be celebrated on the Solemnity of Christ the King in Washington, D.C., at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Re-airs midnight.
 

Pearl Harbor Battleships

PBS At 8pm, Pearl Harbor — USS Oklahoma: The Final Story asks why the ship capsized and interviews survivors as well as families of the fallen (re-airs 9pm Monday). At 9pm, Pearl Harbor — Into the Arizona interviews survivors and historians.
 

Thanksgiving Programs

ABC, EWTN, NBC At 8pm Wednesday on ABC is 1973’s A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, with This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers following. On Thursday on EWTN are Daily Mass at 8am (re-airs noon, 7pm, midnight) and At Home With Jim and Joy Thanksgiving Show 2016 at 2pm, live. On NBC Thursday are Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at 9am and the National Dog Show at noon. 

TV critic Dan Engler writes from

Santa Barbara, California.