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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.

How can I help?

September 26, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

The best part was discovering that serving others can be more fun than spending the afternoon doing what you thought you wanted to do.

A taste of a child’s birthday joy

September 20, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

As I sat in the waiting room, I thought I might have a few minutes to myself. Then the door burst open, and a mother and her two little girls came hurrying into the room. Fairly quickly, the older girl caught my eye and recognized me as an appreciative audience. She picked up her 3-year-old […]

Remembering a Jesuit priest and family friend, Father David Allen

September 17, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Earlier this week, I learned that one of our family friends, Rev. David Allen, S.J., passed away.

What Mother Teresa teaches us about love

September 4, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

If we don’t feed ourselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally, we will be depleted—and unable to be what we want to be—what we are called to be—for others.

A trip to the State Fair, the start of school, texting fun, and more (7 Quick Takes)

September 4, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Summer isn’t complete without a trip to the Maryland State Fair. I always enjoy that one final burst of summer fun, spending money and consuming treats with reckless abandon.

A lesson in trust (and a prayer for a new driver)

August 30, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Letting your child drive your car is exciting and terrifying. And I found myself thinking about how often God asks us to place our trust not just in him, but in others.

Goodbye summer, hello school, anniversaries, and other fun (7 Quick Takes)

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

~1~ I don’t ever want summer to end. It’s gone by much too quickly. I also need summer vacation to end so we can return to more of a routine. My emotions are always mixed this time of year. Summer is my favorite season, and I want our children to have more time to rest […]

The day my nephew moved into my alma mater

August 23, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

When my nephew was looking at colleges last year, he decided to apply to my alma mater, Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For some reason, I didn’t think it was likely he would go. But F&M offered him a spot in the Class of 2027—and he said yes! As the weeks of summer […]

“Holy Women, Holy Lives”: Nominations open for the Maryland Catholic Woman of the Year

August 23, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

You may know a woman who demonstrates spirituality, leadership, and service to Christ, His Church, and society. You have the opportunity to nominate her for this award.

Praying for a baby on the way

August 16, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized

Praying the Rosary on your own is a beautiful experience. But praying the Rosary in a group setting, gathered around a mother-to-be, knowing a new little life is growing inside her, is extraordinarily powerful.

Transfiguration moments for parents

August 6, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

On the Feast of Transfiguration, I’ve been reflecting on the transfiguration moments in my own life, when I look at our children and see God at work within them.

My First Real Job

August 4, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

As a recent college graduate, I was excited and nervous, and maybe even scared to move to a new place where I didn’t know anyone. But I wanted to give journalism a try, and I couldn’t wait to get started.

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