What makes us leave, what helps us stay October 14, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I was thinking about how often people share with me their reasons for leaving a particular parish.
Fall Brings Sweater Weather…and Rosary Season October 6, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window On a page, the words might seem like a repetitive series. But as with many spiritual practices, the Rosary is what you make of it.
It rolled off the table and onto the floor… September 27, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Even though we had all been friendly enough earlier, the whole mood changed. We were no longer simply diners in the restaurant.
The day I hit my Mass goal (and kept going) September 22, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window As we were beginning 2025, I decided to kick it up a notch. Why not try to go to 150 Masses?
From His Hands September 13, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window As we inched forward, I watched him lift each host and place it into people’s hands. I was in awe that our son is so grown up.
Crabs and conversation September 10, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church When we crack claws and pluck crab meat over brown paper, we do it patiently and with joy for the process and the time together. Perhaps we can bring that same patient joy to our hopes for God’s work in our life.
Cal Ripken, Carlo Acutis, Pier Georgio Frassati, and Heroes in Our Lives September 8, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized As we marked the anniversary of Cal breaking the streak, lots of those decades-old emotions came back.
Time for college move-in day August 31, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I don’t want to say I’ve become a college move-in enthusiast, but I love our nieces and nephews, and I love visiting college campuses.
Farewell to a beautiful summer August 24, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Summer is coming to a close, and the school year is beginning.
Pope Leo’s Tears at Mass August 17, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window As Pope Leo XIV lifts the host during the Consecration, you can see his eyes filling up. He swallows, and he seems to be holding back tears.
We’re at the beach. Let’s go see the sunrise August 10, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window The world was full of magic and wonder, and God—God was everywhere. And he was certainly with us on the beach, welcoming us into a new day, inviting us to see it for the gift it is.
A Small Gift on a Cloudy Day August 1, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window For a moment, as I reached for the church door, I hesitated. I could go back to the car for an umbrella.
