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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 word and a saint for your New Year

December 28, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Saints

So, I am not making any specific New Year’s resolutions. But I love choosing an inspirational word of the year and a saint of the year.

Following the Star

December 28, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

We don’t need a star to guide us to Jesus. But I like to think of how God leaves little invitations to draw us closer to Him everywhere we turn.

7 mini-stories about Christmas presents (7 Quick Takes)

December 26, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Here’s a glimpse into seven gifts from our Christmas.

Home for the holidays

December 21, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

I’ve been feeling sad that we won’t get to spend time with family the way we normally would. But I’m trying to remember that changes in plans don’t always end in disappointment.

Deck the halls and move the finches

December 20, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

We had to separate our finches and move them into different cages. I just didn’t know how we would do it.

First snow, an early Christmas gift, and remembering my mother-in-law (7 Quick Takes)

December 19, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

We had our first snow this week, and we were all excited about it.

Gone fishing…in December

December 13, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

I had promised my sons a fishing trip, and we were determined to go.

A golden birthday, emergency chocolate, and video backgrounds (7 Quick Takes)

December 11, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It’s not every day that you turn 11 on the 11th.

Every day is the same

December 9, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized

“Every day is the same,” one of my boys said sadly the other day.

Signs of Advent and finding joy and hope in the wait (7 Quick Takes)

December 4, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Commentary, Open Window

~1~ I bought Advent calendars for both of our boys on Sunday. One of my sons ate all of his chocolates that day. That’s one way to do Advent, trying to hurry things along, rather than savoring the sweetness of each day. I can absolutely understand that impatience—and that love for chocolate. Many years that’s […]

God is enough this Advent season

December 2, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Commentary, The Domestic Church

Being near the people we love is always reassuring, bringing comfort and peace. It’s not even what they say or do that makes us feel better. There’s something about their presence that helps us feel loved, accepted and safe.

Nothing is impossible this Advent

November 30, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

What does God hope for us this Advent season?

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