PORTLAND---From live broadcasts in Vatican City to special programs designed to enhance your Christmas experience, EWTN, CatholicTV, and Relevant Radio have released their schedules for the week of December 19-25. All times ET.

EWTN
You can watch these events on EWTN on television, online, and via the free EWTN app. For all the many ways to access EWTN, please go to www.ewtn.com/everywhere/online.

Special Programming:

A Star Shall Rise
Three wise men traveling to Bethlehem discuss the significance of the star they are following. The drama featuring Raymond Burr provides an unusual perspective on the well-known Magi story. Movie showtimes: Wednesday, December 22, at 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 23, at 2:30 a.m.; and Friday, December 24, at 1 p.m.

“An Austrian Christmas”
A holiday tradition for over 20 years, this beautiful and inspiring Christmas in Vienna concert features a vast assembly of international vocalists performing spiritual Christmas music from around the world on Thursday, December 23, at 10:30 a.m.

“The Carlow Choir Presents: Joy to the World”
Enjoy the sounds of the season in this delightful Christmas program from The Carlow Choir on Saturday, December 25, at 12:30 a.m.

“Choral Meditations on the Nativity”
Live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. Musical composition for the Birth of Our Lord on Friday, December 24, at 10 p.m.

“Christmas with the Dominican Sisters of Mary:
The Dominican Sisters of Mary invite everyone to join them in celebrating Christmas with a variety of festive songs and timeless Christmas classics, including “Carol of the Bells,” “The Christmas Proclamation,” and “Wake, Awake, For Night is Flying” on Sunday, December 19, at 6:30 a.m. and Thursday, December 23, at 11 p.m.

“Christmas in Harvard Square”
A Christmas special that will draw hearts closer to the Nativity of Christ. The Cambridge, MA-based St. Paul’s Choir School, the only Catholic boys’ choir school in the U.S., make their international recording debut on Monday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m., and Thursday, December 23, at 6:30 a.m.

“Christmas in Vienna”
Celebrate Christ's birth with a special concert of international music by the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra, Singing Academy, and world-famous Vienna Boys Choir performing Christmas songs from around the world on Sunday, December 19, at 1:30 p.m.

“The Church and the Poor: Caribbean Christmas”
The Missionaries of the Poor celebrate the Birth of Christ with enriching, joyous melodies and vibrant presentations with a Caribbean spirit on Sunday, December 19, at 5 a.m.., and Thursday, December 23, at 5 p.m.

Joyful Hour
The story of Joseph and Mary is told with an interspersed teaching regarding the Rosary.  Featuring actor Pat O'Brien and family praying the devotion. Movie showtimes: Tuesday, December 21, at 2 p.m., and Wednesday, December 22, at 6 a.m.

Reclaiming the Carol
The late Charles Dickens returns to find that “A Christmas Carol,” and the holiday it celebrates, has become overshadowed by glitz and commercialism in this touching story about the true meaning of Christmas. Movie showtimes: Wednesday, December 22, at 9:30 a.m., and Thursday, December 23, at 10 p.m.

“San Juan Children’s Choir Presents: Siempre Navidad”
San Juan Children’s Choir celebrates Christmas with music from around the world; a unique concert expressing the joyful spirit of the holidays in Puerto Rico on Wednesday, December 22, at 4 p.m., and Thursday, December 23, at 6 p.m.

“Sing Noel! A Christmas Concert”
From Ottawa, Canada, the Thirteen Strings Candlelight Orchestra and the Seventeen Voyces choir perform Fantasia on Christmas Carols and the Christmas Oratorio; French Noels sung by the Children’s Choir from the Ecole Secondaire De la Salle. The concert will air on Saturday, December 25, at 8 p.m.

Theater of the Word: A Morning Star Christmas
Several one-act performances on the Christmas spirit presented by the Morning Star Players and other actors from the Theater of the Word. Movie showtime: Thursday, December 23, at 5 a.m.

Masses:

Christmas Eve from Rome
Friday, December 24, 1:30 p.m. (re-air on Saturday, December 25, at 4 a.m.

Christmas Eve from Washington, D.C.
Friday, December 24, at 10:30 p.m.

Urbi et Orbi Message and Blessing from Rome
Saturday, December 25, at 6 a.m. (re-air at 3 p.m. and 10 p.m.)

Christmas Day Mass at EWTN
Saturday, December 25, at 8 a.m. (re-air at 6:30 p.m.)

Christmas Day Mass from Washington, D.C.
Saturday, December 25, at noon.

 
CatholicTV

All programs available on television (check your local listings) and online at www.catholictv.org/watch-live.

Special Programming:

“Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers”
This special two-hour episode of The Chosen depicts Jesus’ birth through the eyes of Mary and Joseph. CatholicTV will air this special every day of Christmas week: Sunday, December 19 (8 p.m.); Monday, December 20 (3:30 p.m.); Tuesday, December 21 (5 a.m.); Wednesday, December 22 (8:30 p.m.); Thursday, December 23 (1 p.m.); and Friday, December 24 (4 p.m.); and Saturday, December 25 (8 p.m.).

“O Come All Ye Faithful”
The Daughters of St. Paul Choir will perform on Sunday, December 19, at 1:30 p.m., and Thursday, December 23, at 4 a.m., and Friday, December 24, at 6 p.m.

“Peace of Christmas”
Mary and Kevin Nelson will be joined by friends in offering music, Scripture, and reflections on Friday, December 24, at 2:30 a.m.

“The Rose of Which I Sing”
A musical offering for Christmas from the choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will air on Friday, December 24, at 5 a.m.

Scrooge
The classic 1935 version will air on Friday, December 24, at 1 p.m.

“Starry Night: Christmas in Harvard Square”
A Christmas special that will draw hearts closer to the Nativity of Christ. The Cambridge, MA-based St. Paul’s Choir School, the only Catholic boys’ choir school in the U.S., perform on Monday, December 20, at 9:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 23, at 8 p.m.; Friday, December 24, at 2 p.m.; and Saturday, December 25, at 3:30 a.m.

“Sweet Harmony’s Christmas in Harmony”
Sweet Harmony performs from Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. The concert will air on Sunday, December 19, at 1 p.m., and Thursday, December 23, at 3:30 a.m.

“Thy Perfect Light: A Musical Offering for Christmas”
A musical offering for Christmas from the choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will air on Friday, December 24, at 10 p.m., and Saturday, December 25, at 11 a.m.

“Youth Choir’s Christmas Under the Stars”
The All Saints Youth Chori will perform songs and offer readings on Friday, December 24, at 4 a.m.

Masses:

Christmas Eve from Rome
Friday, December 24, 8 p.m.

Midnight Mass from Boston
Saturday, December 25, at midnight

Midnight Mass from Chicago
Saturday, December 25, at 1 a.m.

Urbi et Orbi Message and Blessing from Rome
Saturday, December 25, at 6 a.m. (re-air at 3:30 p.m.)

Christmas Day Mass from Rome
Saturday, December 25, at 7 a.m. (re-air at 1:30 p.m.)

Christmas Day Mass from Washington, D.C.
Saturday, December 25, at 5 p.m. 

Christmas Day Mass from Boston
Saturday, December 25, at 7 p.m.


Relevant Radio

Relevant Radio is available in Maine on 106.7 FM in Portland/Lewiston, 105.7 FM in Springvale/Sanford, 90.3 FM in Bangor, 89.7 FM in Bath/Brunswick, 89.5 FM in Augusta, and 1390 AM in northern Maine. In addition, listeners can tune in online at www.relevantradio.com/listen or by downloading the Relevant Radio app on their smartphones.

Special Programming:

“Christmas in Song” on Friday, December 24, from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, December 25, from midnight to 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. to midnight.

Family Rosary Across America on Friday, December 24, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, December 25, at 8 p.m.

Masses:

Christmas Eve from Rome
Friday, December 24, 1:30 p.m.

Christmas Day Mass
Saturday, December 25, 7 a.m., 1 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.

All schedules are subject to change. Visit the respective website for the most updated information.

In an effort to offer a variety of resources to help as you journey through the Christmas season, a special Christmas section has been created on the diocesan website. Included in the section are Mass times at Maine churches for not only Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but also for the Feast of the Holy Family (December 26); the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (January 1); and the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 2). Masks at Masses are strongly recommended. In addition, you will find materials and information on the different commemorations and solemnities, Christmas events occurring at Maine churches, blessings, messages from Pope Francis and Bishop Deeley, Lectio Divina in English and Spanish, prayers, and much more. To visit the section, head to www.portlanddiocese.org/christmas.