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 power of a conversation

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

On Good Friday it is hard to see the beauty through the darkness and the grief. On Good Friday it is finished. We have faith. We know that Easter will bring incredible joy. We know that not all is lost—that life wins out over death, that love overcomes all evil.

Looking for love this Holy Week

April 16, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

You can sit back and watch. You can join the screaming crowds. Or you can walk right beside Jesus, moment by moment, day after day, of this powerful, emotional journey.

Ave Maria: Seeking Jesus in tragedy

April 16, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Somehow, in the midst of all the updates that statues had been removed for cleaning and that much of the artwork had been carried out safely, I couldn’t find anything about the Blessed Sacrament.

Favorite flowers, a gift for a 3-year-old, cupcakes, squishy Easter gifts, and baseball (7 Quick Takes)

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

What’s your favorite spring flower? I never can decide. I love the yellows that kick of spring, especially the forsythia and the daffodils.

Being present this Lent

April 10, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, The Domestic Church

Were we present at Jesus’ crucifixion? We were, and we are. We can place ourselves in that moment, meditating again on the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for each of us on the cross. We were there. This Lent we are there.

Transitions and trust

April 9, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Much as I cannot believe it, our older son is in fifth grade. And we’re not all that far from the end of school.On a school field trip this week, he and his fellow fifth graders climbed aboard school buses and traveled to the middle school they’ll be attending in September. Afterward, I asked a […]

Homework enthusiasm, a new little league season, and more (7 Quick Takes)

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

These highlights of our week are written in rhyme.

Jesus knows what you need

April 3, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Jesus knows what we need before we ask.
He knows what we needbetter than we do.

Everything about Lent is awesome (in rhyme)

April 1, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Lent, Open Window

This Lent is fantastic! Believe it, it’s true.
We are ready for Easter! We’ve nothing to do!

An art history lesson, fun with words, and why these 7 Quick Takes are a 12th birthday gift

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

Our younger son brought home this beautiful pastel drawing of a cityscape. I don’t know what the assignment was or whether it’s inspired by a famous artist. I just know I love it.

Listening for God on the feast of the Annunciation

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

It was a quiet day in Galilee when the archangel Gabriel arrived at Mary’s home. Imagine what it must have been like in that moment.

Finding your Lenten rhythm, Irish soda bread, Peeps, and Maryland Day festivities (7 Quick Takes)

March 22, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Here we are in the heart of Lent. We’re far enough into Lent that maybe I should be feeling my spiritual rhythm.