All times Eastern

SUNDAY, APRIL 18

Mercy Sunday Shows

EWTN, all day

Jesus told St. Faustina, “I desire that the feast of mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. … The soul that will go to confession and receive holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” All-day coverage includes, live at noon, the solemn Mass from Stockbridge, Mass.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18

This Week in History: War of Independence

History Channel, 10 a.m.

This show returns us to the 1770s and 1780s when liberty-loving Americans, along with our Catholic allies France and Spain, challenged the British Empire — and won.

MONDAY, APRIL 19

My Father, the Baseball Player

ESPN Classic, 7 p.m.

Relatives of home-run kings Babe Ruth and Roger Maris, and other baseball legends such as Walter Johnson, tell about their family life. At 10 p.m., “Roger Maris, Reluctant Hero” profiles a baseball great who also was a fine Catholic and family man.

MONDAY, APRIL 19

American Experience: Patriots Day

PBS, 9 p.m.

Every April 19, re-enactors on Patriots Day in Boston salute the heroic civilians of Lexington and Concord who rose up to fight off the British Army in 1775.

TUESDAY, APRIL 20

Nova: World in the Balance

PBS, 9 p.m.

Catholic viewers won't accept many conclusions here but will be happy to hear “experts” admit that in the United States, Europe and Japan, the population rate is not only not exploding — but is, in fact, im ploding.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21

Structures of Glory, I and II

Travel Channel, 4 p.m.

This two-part, two-hour special shows us monuments, memorials and other famous sites and discusses the designers of some structures.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

The Colorado: River of Wonders

Travel Channel, 8 p.m.

This new special guides us through the scenic six national parks that rest beside the Colorado River in the American Southwest.

THURSDAYS-FRIDAYS

Zebby's Zoo

Familyland TV

At 6:30 a.m. on Thursdays and 3:30 p.m. on Fridays, this half-hour show uses fun to help kids through age 5 absorb valuable lessons about life, including being good.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

NFL Draft

ESPN, noon

Enjoy the suspense and surprises today (and tomorrow, same time) as National Football League teams hold their annual draft of the top college football players.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.