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Rita Buettner

Rita Buettner is a wife, working mother and author of the Catholic Review's Open Window blog. She and her husband adopted their two sons from China, and Rita often writes about topics concerning adoption, family and faith.

Rita also writes The Domestic Church, a featured column in the Catholic Review. Her writing has been honored by the Catholic Press Association, the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association and the Associated Church Press.

Sculpture of St. Rita and St. Therese with a cross and holy water font at the center sits on a table

A Gift and a Connection to the Past

July 13, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Earlier this year, my husband John mentioned that his cousin Terri had something she wanted to give to me. He showed me a photo of a sculpture that included statues of St. Rita of Cascia and St. Therese of Lisieux.

Cupcakes with 2025 graduation toothpicks in them and a bowl of cookies

Our 31-hour Road Trip

July 6, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

We drove more than 450 miles, spent more than 10 hours on the road, and did almost everything we wanted to along the way.

2025 Stellar graduates

July 2, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Special to the Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

All across the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Catholic high schools produce graduates who excel in everything from academics to sports and Christian service. The Catholic Review highlights four of them.

Six lit candles on a chocolate birthday cake

Making a birthday wish come true

June 29, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

A few days before the big day, my sister—the birthday girl’s mom—invited us to join them. She happened to mention that her daughter was hoping to have “Aunt Rita’s Dip” that day, too.

A loaf of sliced bread

We are part of the miracle

June 22, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Jesus can—and will—feed the thousands of people in front of him. He doesn’t need the five loaves and two fish to create a feast for that crowd.

A homemade pie that is ready to bake sits on a kitchen counter next to a rolling pie

A Key Ingredient

June 15, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

For years, I have turned to my next-door neighbor Kathy for help.

A father’s gift 

June 12, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

When I think of our Father in heaven, I like to imagine him being a little like my father on Earth – looking at a problem and finding a way to solve it that I can’t see.

Stained glass window depicting a dove and some of the apostles with flames over their heads

Come, Holy Spirit: A Pentecost Reflection

June 8, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

As an adult, though, I lean hard on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, for courage, and for inspiration.

Watermelon cut into a basket and filled with fruit

Sometimes I cook dinner, summer is here, and other miracles (7 Quick Takes)

May 31, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized

Summer is my favorite time of year, and I am looking forward to being outside more and enjoying longer, slower days. I love everything about summer.

Painting of two women, Mary and Elizabeth, greeting each other in a 17th century painting

When children grow up (and the Feast of the Visitation)

May 30, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

The other day, I watched as my son, who was stuck in a challenging situation, stepped forward to advocate for himself—politely and firmly. He was heard without any apparent criticism, the problem was immediately resolved, and the world continued to turn. It took my breath away. But at 15 and 17, he and his brother […]

Scrambled eggs in the car, Confirmation joy, and Wordle losses (7 Quick Takes)

May 23, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It’s May, which means every now and then we have a night without baseball or a concert or some other commitment. Mostly, though, it’s a mad dash to the finish. Not to wish time away, but summer can start anytime. It’s my absolute favorite time of year.

A smiling Pope Leo waves to a crowd in St. Peter's Square

A Ticket to Pope Leo’s First Papal Audience

May 21, 2025
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Back in early April, Abigail Benjamin submitted a request for tickets to attend a papal audience in May. Not many people were requesting tickets at the time, as a cardinal handled the papal audiences for an ailing Pope Francis. But Abigail felt she and her husband, Jon, should go. They could never have known that […]

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