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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.

The new nothing-but-normal

August 3, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

“This is the new normal,” people say about this pandemic time. But we do not have to accept the current situation as the new normal.

Birthday reflections, schooling prep, and St. Ignatius (7 Quick Takes)

August 1, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

I’ve been hoping to get a handheld mirror for the days when our deck becomes a barber shop for our family.

A review: Catholic homeschooling resources

July 29, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Kelly, a Catholic homeschooling mom of five, she has created some resources for homeschooling families.

Birthday kisses

July 27, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

When my birthday comes around, I don’t need lots of presents or cards or fanfare. I don’t have to have a party. I am happy just knowing it’s my birthday.

Summer: Hot, humid and hopeful

July 27, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

Maybe if we approached summer more like children – slowing down, soaking in a little extra time with nature, and letting ourselves dive a little deeper into something that helps us feel more alive – we might encounter God in a new way.

Talking toast, nests, ice cream sandwiches, and peach season (7 Quick Takes)

July 24, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

How do you like your toast? I like mine to be just barely toasted as if hardly touched by the heat.

When your life is an episode of “The Floor Is Lava”

July 22, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

If you’ve seen “The Floor Is Lava” on Netflix, you know how it works. A team of friends or family members races to get across an obstacle course decorated like a household room, working together and trying not to fall into the red liquid floor. Fall into the lava, and you’re out of the game. […]

The right place at the right time

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

Ordinary headlights. Ordinary moths. An ordinary evening. But together they formed an extraordinary moment of wonder. As I watched, the car turned off its lights, the moths disappeared, and it was over.

Every day is different, especially when there’s homemade apple pie, and more (7 Quick Takes)

July 17, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It can feel that every day is the same. But take a look at the sunset, and you can’t help but realize that each one is so different.

Feathering a nest

July 14, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Our little finch is making a nest. How does he know what to do? God must be whispering in his ear.

A new look, an old calendar, Tropical Storm Fay and more (7 Quick Takes)

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

Notice anything different? The website has been redesigned, so 7 Quick Takes has a new look.

A sign that God loves us

July 8, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

How deep is the love of our Father in heaven that He gives us so many little gifts—sweet or salty or amusing or loving—throughout the day. Sometimes it’s just a matter of recognizing that He’s in each and every one.

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