Happy 250th to the USA, climbing the Empire State Building, a Cookie Monster geode & more (7 Quick Takes) July 4, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window July is my favorite month of the year. It’s my birthday month, so that adds to the joy, but July is also the heart of the summer—and summertime is the best.
Faith, freedom and the founders: How Maryland Catholics helped shape a new nation July 1, 2026By Rita Buettner Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, Local News, News At the time of the American Revolution, Catholics may have comprised only 1 percent of the total population of the colonies – with the majority of them living in Maryland. Despite their small numbers, Catholics played a role in the founding of the United States of America.
A Fourth of July Memory June 30, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I was making coffee early on the Fourth of July when I heard the ping of a text message.
Meet four shining lights from the Class of 2026 June 29, 2026By Rita Buettner Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools Extraordinary students graduated from Catholic high schools across the Archdiocese of Baltimore at the end of this academic year. The Catholic Review highlights four of them.
Relishing a 7th Birthday with Mustard June 24, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Did she like mustard? We didn’t know. Did she want a stuffed mustard? Maybe not. But we had a feeling this was the right gift.
Not to Burst Your Balloon June 22, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Getting someone’s attention at the balloon counter was tricky, but when I finally found an employee, I asked her to fill up six red balloons.
Little Love Messages from God June 15, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window God often has something else up his sleeve. And he likes to make sure we know that he sees us and that he’s walking right by our side.
Special delivery June 10, 2026By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church I know there are people who say that a child learns best when they need to deal with the consequences. But I think there are enough hard consequences in life. The lessons I want to teach my children are to respond with compassion.
We are his family June 5, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Uncategorized Whenever I think of Father Paul, I think of him smiling—that gentle smile that reflected his care for his parishioners and his great sense of humor.
A Wasp on the Elevator June 2, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window My son and I were hurrying to an appointment, and the parking garage was packed. We snagged a spot on the top level of the garage and walked over to the elevator. I don’t always have much faith in elevators, and I would prefer to take the stairs, but we were in a rush, and […]
When Life’s Impossible, Talk to St. Rita May 22, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Sometimes you feel like you’re faced with a problem with no apparent solution. That’s when we can turn to St. Rita.
I’m OK, you’re OK…well we’re mostly OK (on springtime transitions) May 18, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I wouldn’t want to hold our children back. Or maybe I would, just a little bit, to keep them close a little longer.
