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.

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.

The day we met Brooks Robinson

March 21, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

It was kind of a crazy idea.

A new lesson from St. Joseph

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

It turns the whole story on its head for me.

A little lesson in trust

March 19, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

Sometimes the large, life-changing moments are the ones that show us we need to turn everything over to God. Sometimes it’s the flat tire or a snowstorm derailing our plans. But each time we have an opportunity to come away trusting Jesus a little bit more.

A simple St. Patrick’s Day appetizer: Shamrock-shaped tortilla chips

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

Every Sunday my fellow small group leader and I bring a snack for our second graders to enjoy in our Sunday School class. Because it was St. Patrick’s Day, I thought we might make the snack a little more fun than usual.