Weekly TV Picks

DECEMBER, VARIOUS

Christmas from the Cathedral of St. Matthew

NBC stations; check local listings

On Sunday, Dec. 19, NBC affiliates will receive this special from the U.S. bishops‘ Catholic Communication Campaign. Contact your local NBC station for airdates and times — and if they haven't scheduled it, ask them to. The show features Latin American music, a claymation Nativity story and, from San Antonio, Texas, a traditional Mexican re-enactment of the Holy Family's search for shelter in Bethlehem.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

Catholic U. of America's Christmas Concert 2004

EWTN, 1:30 p.m.

In Washington, D.C., Catholic University of America's magnificent choir sings Christmas carols in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22

Emeril's Happy, Happy Holidays

Food Network, 8 p.m.

For Christmas, chef Emeril Lagasse's goose is cooked — along with his potatoes, veggies, salad and “mile-high parfait pie.”

FRIDAY, DEC. 24

A Christmas Concert with Donna Lee

Familyland TV, 6:30 p.m.

Singer Donna Lee performs traditional carols and original compositions. Re-airs Monday, Dec. 27, at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 25

Midnight Mass from St. Peter's

EWTN, 6 p.m., live and NBC, 11:35 p.m.

Join Pope John Paul II as he celebrates the Nativity in St. Peter's. Re-airs Christmas Day at 8 a.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 28

Lost Soul of the 20th Century

EWTN, 11 p.m.

The feast of the Holy Innocents is an appropriate day to view this pro-life show. Made by Amos Productions for the Irish pro-life group Family & Life, it features insights from Irish pro-life leaders and man-on-the-street interviews with Dubliners.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29

Live from Lincoln Center

PBS, 8 p.m.

This 90-minute show features the renowned Irish flutist James Galway as he performs in the Kaplan Penthouse at the Lincoln Center.

FRIDAY, DEC. 31

Die Fledermaus

PBS, 8 p.m.

In this 2-1/2-hour telecast, the Washington National Opera Orchestra performs Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss (1825-1899). Heinz Fricke conducts, Lofti Mansour provides stage direction, and Placido Domingo makes a cameo appearance.

SATURDAY, JAN. 1

Solemn Mass of Reparation from EWTN

EWTN, midnight, 8 a.m., 7 p.m.

Join the EWTN family and ring in the New Year with prayerful reparation for our sins and those of the whole world.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.