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.

All in God’s timing

April 27, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

As we are nearing the end of our prayer basket intentions, I’ve been thinking that what I’ve realized is how often people need prayers and we just don’t know.

A bunny for my honey, a finch egg for us all…

April 24, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

How was your Easter? I keep reminding my family that it’s still the Easter season, but I think sometimes it’s hard to sustain the joy for the whole 50 days! Still, it’s not hard to keep the poetic juices flowing for National Poetry Month, since that’s only 30. So, here we go! ~1~ Some artists […]

Moving Ever Forward

April 18, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It was 18 feet deep, and that boat was quite trapped,
Through pushing and pulling, in the silt it stayed wrapped.

The poetic fun of spring

April 16, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

The trees are pink and white and green
All wearing spring’s fantastic sheen.

A cup of sugar – and then some

April 11, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, The Domestic Church

We are reminded to look at the people who are hurting or struggling in front of us and consider what part we might play in easing their pain.

Let’s Go on a Pilgrimage

April 10, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

Weeks ago, one of my colleagues suggested that we go on a retreat. It sounded wonderful, but I thought it might be impossible. Spring is an incredibly busy time at work. Would we ever be able to step away? We picked a possible day to go, but I wasn’t sure it would happen. Something would […]

Haiku for me, haiku for you

April 8, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Need an eggless treat?
Check out these egg-shaped candies.
Hello, irony.

A Tribute to Tuna

April 7, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

From sea to can to dinner plate,
A tuna feast is quite first-rate.

While it is still dark

April 3, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

So often we cannot see the light. We might be overcome with worry or fear or sadness or uncertainty. Not knowing what lies ahead, we might not know where to begin.

There once was a week full of rhyme…

April 2, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

April is National Poetry Month! I’ll be blogging my weekly 7 Quick Takes in poetry form. Today, let’s have some fun with limericks. ~1~ When my boys have friends over to play, Sometimes I’m not sure what to say. Being nearby and nice May just come with a price. I order pizza and just stay […]

A Crazy Mixed-up Lunch

March 29, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

When I got back to my desk at work, I opened the bag and realized I had the other customer’s lunch.

A Finch in a Pinch

March 29, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Children are always most curious and observant when it’s time for bed. So, of course, it was at bedtime last week when our younger son noticed that one of our zebra finches had redness around her tail.