SUNDAY, Sept. 23, 10pm

Dogmatic Theology

EWTN

In this eight-part series from 2011, Father James Mallon of St. Benedict’s Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, discusses topics such as Christ’s lordship, suffering and mortality. Dogmatic theologian David Deane adds teachings, and a real-life testimony follows. Uniquely, Father Mallon uses "stories of my dog" — his shepherd mix named Monsi — "to speak about things like God’s unconditional love, sin, guilt and forgiveness."

THURSDAYS, 8pm

The American Bible Challenge

GAME SHOW NETWORK

"If you don’t know your Bible, you don’t have a prayer," exclaims Jeff Foxworthy, host of this new quiz show. Each week, the contestants, in three teams of three members each, play to win $20,000 for their favorite charities. Players also share personal stories of Christian charity and faith.

FRIDAY, Sept. 28, 7pm

Encounter With Padre Pio

EWTN

"Prayer is the best weapon we have, a key that opens the heart of God" — that was the counsel of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), the Italian Capuchin mystic who bore the stigmata, the wounds of Christ. This 2006 special shows Padre Pio, his monastery, his last Mass and his beatification ceremony. It also includes personal testimonies from the saint’s friends.

SATURDAY, Sept. 29, all day

These United States

HISTORY

At 7am and 8am, episodes of The States series recount stories of colonial and pioneer days, the American Revolution and later events. Hourly from 9am on, 10 episodes of How the States Got Their Shapes describe the naming of the states and the setting of their boundaries. Re-airings. Advisory: TV-PG.

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 3, 9pm, live

First Presidential Debate

MAJOR NETWORKS

PBS newscaster Jim Lehrer will pose questions on domestic policy to Republican challenger Mitt Romney and Democratic incumbent President Barack Obama in a two-hour session at the University of Denver.

FRIDAY, Oct. 5, 10am, live

10th Annual Worldwide Children’s Holy Hour

EWTN

Children in 140-plus countries will join in at home and in their parish churches as 4,000 kids assemble in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on the First Friday of October to adore Jesus, pray the Rosary for families and priests and to "follow the way of the Little Shepherds of Fatima."

SATURDAY, Oct. 6, 2pm

EWTN on Location: Napa Institute’s 2nd Annual Conference

EWTN

The Napa Institute aims "to equip Catholic leaders to defend and advance the Catholic faith in ‘the next America’ — today’s emerging secular society." At this year’s gathering, held July 26-29 in Napa, Calif., Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput and other Catholic speakers addressed more than 300 religious and lay leaders.

SATURDAY, Oct. 6, 8pm

Winged Planet

DISCOVERY CHANNEL

This special shows spectacular bird’s-eye views of landscapes. Filmmaker John Downer attached tiny cameras to eagles, cranes and other birds that then flew over scenic areas of America, Africa and Europe.

Dan Engler writes from
Santa Barbara, California.