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.

A Little Birthday Reflection

July 27, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized

Yesterday was my birthday. It wasn’t a special milestone, but every birthday feels significant to me. And every birthday offers a chance to pause and reflect on who I am, why I’m here, and how blessed I am.

Painting, sister outings, a diaper cake, and pre-birthday fun (7 Quick Takes)

July 22, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized

When the children are younger, you struggle with how to display their artwork because it’s all so personal and sweet. Then when they get older, it can be even harder to know what to do because their work is so beautiful.

Go ahead. Have ice cream for breakfast.

July 16, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Open Window

Maybe this is not your parenting approach. You do what works for you. I’ll be over here watching a happy child lick his spoon.

Thank you, Father Joe

July 13, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

I’ve long admired Father Joe Breighner’s work.

An Adventure in the Kitchen

July 13, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

There wasn’t quite enough for another double-crusted pie, but I could maybe make a tart.

Sink or swim

July 5, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

God is waiting patiently for each of us, loving us right where we are, recognizing that our path is uniquely our own.

Robotics camp, cousin time, an Orioles game, and a bari sax (7 Quick Takes)

July 3, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Our boys have been participating in a robotics camp—one as a counselor and one as a participant. I had the chance to visit the camp briefly for a competition, and I was struck by how amazing it is to see your child move into that kind of leadership role.

“Are You Catholic?”

July 2, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Was I wearing a crucifix? Had a rosary slipped out of my purse? Then I realized she was looking at the reusable grocery bags I had brought along.

Hooray for July

July 1, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

July is the cherry on the top of the ice cream sundae. It’s summer at its summer-iest. It’s when we will finally welcome the hotter days, when—if we’re doing it right—the children will start complaining about being bored, and when we will realize which popsicle flavors no one likes because that’s all that’s left in the freezer.

Make an eagle cheese ball and watch your party soar

June 27, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Recipes

As it turned out, though, we didn’t need a superhero to make our eagle cheese ball.

Car-buying advice from my father

June 21, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

The other day John and I went car shopping to replace our minivan. We went to a couple of dealerships to look around. At the second one, we decided to buy a car. Purchasing an automobile is not my favorite thing to do—and I know I’m not alone. Many people do not enjoy car shopping. […]

‘The winner is you’

June 16, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

The whole grocery store trip is a different experience when I remind myself how blessed we are to have all we have – and even what a gift the time in the store can be itself.