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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.

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.

Secret birthday gifts, the finches go to the Oscars, and a butter bunny (7 Quick Takes)

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

~1~ My niece Elise will turn 15 this week, so I’ve been assembling a package to ship to her in time for her birthday. I wish I could tell you what I’m sending, but she’s an enthusiastic 7 Quick Takes reader, so I’ll have to fill you in later. But I will tell you I […]

Try to see the love

March 22, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

Go home and find a crucifix, the priest said. Sit and hold it and really look at it.

A letter to my godson

March 22, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, The Domestic Church

When you love God and recognize that he’s given you a role on earth that is just for you to do, you’ll find he helps you achieve things for him that seem almost impossible.

Shamrocks, soda bread, and two dates for mom and dad (7 Quick Takes)

March 19, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

This year I decided we should have something Irish for our door.

The world begins today

March 15, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It started as an ordinary enough day. I was just starting the workday at my office when my phone rang. My new nephew had been born!

Bee is for Buettner, babies, and bananas (7 Quick Takes)

March 12, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

When I put dinner on the table, I told my children that I bought the placemats because “bee is for Buettner.”

Two years later, a double-dip feeling

March 9, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

This week, as we find ourselves marking the second anniversary of the day schools—and the world—shut down, I find my mind wandering back to March 2020. Our world turned upside-down.

Our Lenten prayer basket, a hole-y surprise, and a nice number of bananas (7 Quick Takes)

March 6, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

I love having a prayer basket for Lent. I don’t know why pulling an intention out of a basket feels so ceremonial and important, but it does.

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