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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.

Preparing for Change

November 22, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Commentary, Open Window

As we look ahead to Advent, it almost feels as if nature is paving the way to that time, calling us to let the fading vibrancy of autumn go, and be open to the journey ahead. Change can be wonderful, but it can also be hard.

The flame of a candle burns. The candle is in a translucent container, set on a brocade tablecloth.

What little we have to give

November 14, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

The other day I was in a meeting at work. We were introducing ourselves to a group of people visiting from outside our organization. When it was time for one of my coworkers to introduce himself, he mentioned he had just started working there recently. The person leading the meeting laughed. He dismissed my new […]

The loss of a pet and a visit with Padre Pio

November 8, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Padre Pio was such a holy man with a deep devotion to the Eucharist. He lived a life full of miracles. I really wanted to visit his relics while they were in Baltimore.

Everyday Memories of Those Who’ve Gone Before

October 30, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

You never know what will make you remember the people you miss. Rainbows make me think of our late neighbors, John and Loretta. We shared such a beautiful rainbow with them one summer afternoon. Reaching up to close a window takes my mind to our friend Father Tom. He once told me how he felt […]

100 Masses in a Year

October 23, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Back in December, my husband told me about a friend who set a goal to spend 100 hours on his boat during 2023. I found myself wondering what I could do 100 times in a year. I told our oldest son that maybe I would try to go to 100 Masses. “You probably already go […]

Sculpture relief with Haussner's printed on it and a man carrying a platter of food

Haussner’s Memories (25 Years Later)

October 13, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

There were those sweet little chocolate chip muffins that came in the breadbasket. Then there were the decadent platters of food that came steaming out of the kitchen. But what I remember best about Haussner’s Restaurant was gazing up at the artwork that covered every inch of the walls. We didn’t eat out much as […]

Northern Lights in the sky outside Baltimore on Oct. 10, 2024

God comes to us

October 13, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

I love a celestial phenomenon, but I never thought I would see the Northern Lights. I certainly didn’t imagine I would see them from my front porch, not far outside Baltimore, in a neighborhood full of light pollution. But then Thursday night happened. A colleague sent a message and encouraged us to look outside. There […]

My brother-in-law and sister smiling for the camera at a football game in a stadium in New Haven Connectict

Thinking of Eric today

October 10, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It has been seven years since my brother-in-law Eric died. It doesn’t feel that long, and yet it also feels like longer. Time can be so odd. Today, as we are missing him, I am thinking of how we never really lose the people we love. But I also know that there is an Eric-shaped […]

A father’s arms

October 9, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

Through their lives and actions, our fathers teach us about love – and especially about God’s love for us.

Statue of St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Thérèse: We have only today

September 30, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Over the years, I have come to marvel at St. Thérèse’s “little way.” I love the idea of taking simple, small steps on the road toward sainthood.

Baldwin's Book Barn in Chester, Pennsylvania

A Trip to the Book Barn

September 29, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized

The books I brought home may have had one owner or 10. They may have passed through dozens of children’s hands or been treasured by a single person who kept them intact.

Stained glass window shows guardian angel with boy and girl

Angels Surround Us

September 29, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

There’s something truly special about your guardian angel, your own personal companion through life.

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