Weekly TV Picks

All times Eastern

SUNDAY, JAN. 25

This Week in History: Explorers

History Channel, 10 a.m.

The Explorers Club in New York City celebrates its centennial this year. Josh Binswanger offers a glimpse of its lore and treasures, including the Vinland Map.

MON.-FRI., JAN. 26-30

EWTN Gallery

EWTN, 4:30 a.m., 6 p.m.

Following last week's 31st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, this week's Gallery offerings all deal with the right to life and the virtue of chastity. Monday, “The Women's Center: Changing Lives and Saving Lives.” Tuesday, “Bridging the Tears.” Wednesday, “Love's Bravest Choice.” Thursday and Friday, “To Parents of Teens,” parts 1 and 2.

TUESDAY, JAN. 27

Scientific American Frontiers: Losing It

PBS, 9 p.m.

This new special looks at how to lose weight and keep it off, tries to answer why dieting is so difficult for many and follows 12 people's weight-loss progress.

TUESDAY, JAN. 27

Industrial Wonders: Hoover Dam

The Learning Channel, 10 p.m.

The building of huge Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, 1931-1936, two years ahead of schedule was a testament to American engineers’ ingenuity and know-how but also to the teamwork, “can-do” spirit and raw courage of America's workingmen. More than 16,000 men labored on the dam for an average of 62.5 cents per hour, or $1,825 per year, good money during the Depression. Ninety-six died in accidents, but that total does not include deaths from “natural” causes such as heart attack and heat exhaustion. Today the dam supplies water for tens of millions of Americans in the Southwest.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28

Live From Lincoln Center: New York Philharmonic

PBS, 9 p.m.

Ricardo Muti, the director of La Scala, conducts the New York Philharmonic in Schubert's Rosamunde Overture, Brahms’ Second Symphony and Mozart arias that feature bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff.

THURSDAY, JAN. 29

House Hunters

Home & Garden TV, 10:30 p.m.

Parents Robert and Julie Burch look for a home in a family-friendly neighborhood.

FRIDAY, JAN. 30

Save Our History: Frontier Homes

History Channel, 7 a.m.

History buffs and home-repair enthusiasts alike will enjoy this tour of pioneers’ abodes around the United States, including post-and-beam timber frames and log cabins back East, Midwestern sod houses and adobe homes out West.

SATURDAY, JAN. 31

Becoming Catholic

EWTN, 2:30 p.m.

Want to become Catholic? Know someone who does? Watch this half-hour series by Father Ed Krause and let him explain the process and answer all your questions.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.

Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis