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.

67 Ways to Do the Works of Mercy with Your Kids (An author Q&A)

May 28, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Books, Open Window

With very full lives, it can be easy to feel that there’s no way to fit anything else into your day. So, when I saw that Heidi Indahl had written 67 Ways to Do the Works of Mercy with Your Kids, I was immediately intrigued.

Yard sales, commencement joy, cotton candy for breakfast, and free Easter egg dye (7 Quick Takes)

May 24, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I could write quick takes or take care of the pile of dirty dishes in the sink. I think we both know which one I picked.

A graduation address by the rider-less Preakness horse, Bodexpress

May 19, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Uncategorized

If you run the race you were meant to run, if you do it with heart and conviction and joy, you will discover you don’t need the winner’s circle. Because you will already have won.

How to celebrate Mother’s Day, losing teeth, little league lessons, and more (7 Quick Takes)

May 17, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Our Mother’s Day tradition is to go to the florist on the day before Mother’s Day to pick up a flowering basket for our back porch. It’s simple and fun and everyone enjoys it.

Be Brave in the Scared (A book review)

May 13, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Books, Open Window

You’ll find love and life and transformation and beauty in Mary Lenaburg’s new book, Be Brave in the Scared.

When you’re kind of a big deal but mostly not, birthday celebrations, fish for dinner, and more (7 Quick Takes)

May 10, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

You might think we just breezed into the advance screening of Detective Pikachu earlier this week. But you know there’s always a back story.

Take a Pika-Pika at Detective Pikachu

May 7, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

You could sit and imagine a world where Pokémon are real, live creatures, walking the streets with their human counterparts. Or you could simply go see Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.

Call your mother

May 7, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

When you’re talking to your mother, she understands. And you can always just pick right up where you left off later.

A prayer gathering for a baby on the way, chaperoning a field trip, dipping chocolate, and more (7 Quick Takes)

May 4, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

If you have come to one of my parties, you know that what I focus my energy on are the favors, inviting people the morning of the event, designing veggie trays, and scrambling to get the rest of the food together at the last minute.

A surprise package from a friend

May 2, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

A few weeks ago our friend Annie traveled to Israel to visit family there. Her airplane landed there on Palm Sunday, and she even texted me from the airport to tell me she was there.

Sixteen candles

April 29, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Sixteen years ago today our niece was born! She was my very first niece (or nephew), and becoming an aunt brought tremendous joy.

Easter moments, a forgotten lunch, egg dyeing, bunnies for dessert, and more (7 Quick Takes)

April 25, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

At Ash Wednesday Mass, our family was asked to carry up the gifts. Then on Easter Sunday, our family was asked again.