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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.

A simple greeting can be a powerful connector

January 7, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, The Domestic Church

We never know where a simple greeting or a smile might lead or how that might have an impact on someone else.

Let’s hold onto Christmas

January 5, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

As the decorations disappear from our neighbors’ homes, we’re still holding onto Christmas in our house.

A New Year, more Christmas, and a surprise visitor (7 Quick Takes)

January 1, 2022
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

~1~ Happy New Year! I have never had much success with resolutions, but I do love setting the tone for the year. I let Jen Fulwiler’s Word of the Year generator choose a word for me—Hospitality—and her Saint of the Year generator pick a saint for me—St. Margaret of Antioch. Hospitality seems to bring its […]

Farewell to 2021. Thanks for all the (sort of) fun.

December 29, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

A poetic tribute to 2021

The excitement of each new day

December 28, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized

As soon as the first daylight creeps into their cages, the finches are ready to start the day—and they think I should start mine, too.

A partridge in a pear tree and other Christmas fun (7 Quick Takes)

December 26, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

Merry Christmas! Here are a few highlights of our Christmas celebration so far.

A Child is born to us

December 24, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

There is nothing like the happy news of a brand-new baby.

When Christmas doesn’t go as planned

December 23, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

Whatever your Christmas looks like this year, I hope you find your way to the manger, and that you encounter moments of beauty, hope, and joy.

It might be time to get ready for Christmas and more in 7 Quick Takes

December 19, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

We aren’t ready for Christmas, but Easter’s in the bag.

The joy of a Yankee swap

December 16, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

When I mentioned that I was participating in two Yankee gift swaps this week, my family didn’t sound that enthusiastic.

An unexpected Christmas gift

December 14, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, The Domestic Church

Whether we have recognized how God is at work in our lives or missed some of the clues, Jesus will be waiting for us to come running to meet him in the manger on Christmas morning.

A visit from St. Nicholas and other highlights from our week

December 11, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

This is always one of the busiest, most wonderful weeks for our family, so I have lots to share in 7 Quick Takes.

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