This page previews upcoming TV and Radio Programmes, mostly in Ireland and the UK. This is for information purposes only and does not imply recommendation unless clearly stated otherwise. Some of the material is available live or for download/podcast/streaming from the websites of the relevant broadcaster.

Note: All times and dates are accurate at time of posting, but broadcasters can make changes so it's a good idea to double check in the daily papers/teletext etc.

Gloria
RTE Lyric FM Sun 7 March 9.30 am
This morning's programme features plainchant from Chanticleer, two more motets by Johann Sebastian Bach and lamentations by Thomas Tallis.
Gloria Web Page

Icons: Windows Into Heaven
EWTN Sun 7 March 9.30 am
The Icons in this episode depict Christ as the Bridegroom. The bridegroom image is an ancient image of God who is married to - has a covenant with - His people. In the old testament, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob is the Bridegroom and Israel is His bride. Christ becomes the Bridegroom and his bride is the Church.

Mass on Sunday
RTE 1 Sun 7 March 11.15 am
From The Ursuline Convent Chapel in Thurles. Main Celebrant: Most Rev Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. Liturgical Music by the Ursuline Secondary School Choir Music Directors: Mary Rose McNally and Joan Farrell. Occasion: 2010 marks the 475th anniversary of the foundation of the Ursuline Sisters. Their foundress, St Angela Merici is remembered with gratitude.

Songs of Praise
BBC 1 Sun 7 March 5:00 pm
Prayer. Aled Jones explores one of the most universal yet mysterious human activities: prayer. Among those he talks to are Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who describes praying near the twin towers in New York on 9/11. The hymns, sung by the Exultate Singers, Tessera and Camilla Kerslake, include Make Me a Channel of Your Peace, Abide With Me and All My Hope on God Is Founded.
Songs of Praise Website

An Cór
RTE 1 Fri 12 March 7.30 pm
In episode two the Limerick Gospel Choir attempts to make "An Poc ar Buille" into a Gospel song, while their opponents, the Bray Youth Choir, rearrange Donegal's "Báidín Fheilimí". Fiachna visits west Cork and meets John Spillane and Seán Ó Sé, who perform their own versions of "An Poc ar Buille". He also travels to Tory Island to uncover the origins of "Báidín Fheilimí".
More info here

Holy Man
Channel 4 Fri (night) 12 March 1.15 am
(1998) In Stephen Herek's comedy drama Jeff Goldblum plays Ricky Hayman, head of a failing shopping cable channel recently acquired by McBainbridge (Robert Loggia), who gives him just two weeks to turn it around. To help him, McBainbridge appoints Ivy League graduate Kate Newell (Kelly Preston) - but nothing they do increases viewing figures or sales until, following a freeway accident, they encounter 'G' (Eddie Murphy), an enigmatic holy man, who changes not just the channel but their lives with his wisdom and insight.
US Catholic Conference Review
IMDB Entry

In Concert
EWTN Sun 14 March 9 am
The Passion of Christ and the grief of the Virgin Mary are beautifully evoked in this musical performance of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's Stabat Materf; from All Saint's Church in Aldwingle, England.

Gloria
RTE Lyric FM Sun 14 March 9.30 am
Tim Thurston includes another excerpt from Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers. This morning's programme includes music for St. Patrick from medieval times and by Charles Villiers Stanford, a Requiem by John Rutter and another excerpt from Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers.
Gloria Web Page

Songs of Praise
BBC 1 Sun 14 March 5:00 pm
Mothering Sunday. Eamonn Holmes is in Northern Ireland for Mothering Sunday, where he meets The Priests. He hears the amazing story of why they sing together, and visits them at work in their own parishes. And, with St Patrick's Day just around the corner, there are some glorious hymns from Newtownards and Belfast.
Songs of Praise Website

The Simpsons
Channel 4 Tues 16 March 6 pm
The Father, Son and Holy Guest Star. A cool priest (guest star Liam Neeson) convinces Bart and Homer to become Catholics. Catholics will probably enjoy it but it's crude in spots and there are predictable stereotypes.
More episode info here.

The Green Mile
TG4 Tues 16 March 9.05 pm
(1999) Starring Tom Hanks, David Morse and Michael Clarke Duncan. Directed by Frank Darabont. The story about the lives of guards on death row leading up to the execution of a criminal who has the power of faith healing.
IMDB Entry
US Catholic Conference Review
Review at Decent Films (recommended)

The Singing Priests
St Patrick's Day 6 pm
In April 2008 three unassuming catholic priests from Northern Ireland signed a two million dollar record contract with Sony BMG, one of the biggest record companies in the world, who believe that their extraordinary vocal harmonies have the potential to be the next big thing. The huge Sony BMG marketing machine is about to click into top gear with one simple objective: a global number one album this Christmas. Throughout this time the three priests will continue their day jobs as parish priests, with the continuous rota of sermons, weddings, christenings and funerals that the job entails. This documentary follows their incredible journey - right from the start. We'll see how three modest men of God cope with the changes that come with international stardom. Do they have any idea what's about to hit them?