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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.

Find light in the darkness

December 7, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

Sometimes God taps you gently on the shoulder.

Delightful lunches, holiday craft fairs, and other Advent fun

December 5, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

There’s such beauty to the statement, “The chef prepares the salmon medium-well. Does that work for you?”

christmas tree with white lights

Discover joy on your Advent journey

December 4, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

And there was so much grace. So much love. So much joy.

Jesus is with you this Advent season

November 27, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

That’s the beauty of Advent. No matter what we do to prepare, no matter what we take on for these weeks leading up to Christmas, Jesus awaits us.

Spaghetti pizza with a friend and Thanksgiving feasting

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

Luckily, there is no calorie-counting in blogs posted during Thanksgiving week because this post is packed with treats.

What’s for Thanksgiving dinner? Food debates

November 24, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Here are some of the charged topics you might have to navigate during Thanksgiving dinner.

School bus worries, after-school treats, instant coffee, and more (7 Quick Takes)

November 20, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

I hope your week went well. I’m looking back on ours and sharing 7 Quick Takes. ~1~ The school week opened with concerns about a school bus driver strike. I tried to arrange my work schedule so I wouldn’t be far from our sons’ school in case they were stranded there and needed a ride […]

The Miracle of Adoption

November 15, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It’s one of the great wonders of adoption. Nothing is bigger than love.

Cake, chocolate, coffee, and creative gifts

November 13, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Our older son turned 14 this week. Every age so far has been my favorite, and 14 is really wonderful.

An unexpected sign of God’s love

November 10, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

On this day in the chapel, I had the most beautiful and unexpected experience.

The joy of praying for others

November 8, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

We are all part of the Body of Christ. Being asked to carry an intention to Jesus on someone’s behalf is an extraordinary gift and privilege. And praying is something I can do.

A sticker surprise, a post-Halloween breakfast, and my request for advice (7 Quick Takes)

November 6, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Is there anything more wonderful than a surprise piece of mail?

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