• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
        • CR for Kids
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Shop
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
        • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Kids
  • Radio/Podcasts
        • Catholic Review Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
        • In God’s Image
        • “In Charity and Truth” with Archbishop William E. Lori
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

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 gift of a shooting star

November 5, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

The other night our son was outside with his father, scanning the heavens, when a shooting star streaked across the sky.

Halloween costumes and emotions, November prayers, St. Verdiana, and more (7 Quick Takes)

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

Even with all the worry about the weather, we got in a beautiful night of trick-or-treating, winding our way through our Halloween-happy neighborhood.

Voting to change the date of Halloween: Trick or treat?

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

Rain is in the forecast for Halloween night, so our neighborhood created a poll. Suddenly, I found I was allowed to vote on which night Halloween would be.

A day at the races, searching for costumes, homemade birthday cards, and more (7 Quick Takes)

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

Our friend Theresa invited us to go to the Maryland Million with her, so our boys and I headed down to Laurel for a few hours at the races.

The magnificence of an underwhelming autumn

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

Maybe there’s a little extra wonder when we almost overlook that evolution—in nature and even in ourselves.

Checking in on the school year, origami for everyone, a rainbow, and the pillow everyone needs (7 Quick Takes)

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

Six weeks or so into the school year I’m feeling a little out of my depth.

A special moment during Communion

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

It was a simple exchange—but I was struck by the power and the beauty of that interaction between a husband and wife.

The arrival of autumn, a day trip, meeting a chinchilla, and a flyswatter update (7 Quick Takes)

October 12, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Fall is such a beautiful season. I do love the mums and the pumpkins and the wondering when my children will tell me what they want to be for Halloween so we can make a mad dash to the store to find costumes.

Accompanied by angels

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

We want to believe the sun will rise tomorrow and we’ll embrace the fullness of another day. We must live life with that hope. There is no other way.

A fun gift on an ordinary day

October 8, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

It was a special day—just as each and every day is. And it was made even more special by this unparalleled gift from a friend.

Birthday card shopping, St. Francis, flea marketing, wedding fun, and more (7 Quick Takes)

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

Today is my husband’s birthday! I don’t know how we will celebrate, but our boys and I picked out a few gifts, and we each chose a card for him.

When life gives you blue ice cream with sprinkles

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

My son looked at me, and I looked at him. No words were spoken. All questions were answered in his eyes.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 55
  • Page 56
  • Page 57
  • Page 58
  • Page 59
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 87
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Howard County parish explores patriotism’s Catholic roots for America’s 250th 
  • Question Corner: Why are SSPX confessions invalid?
  • Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at 71; SC governor selects his sister to finish his term
  • ‘Keep Venezuelans in your hearts’ after earthquakes, says Catholic relief worker
  • After Vatican’s excommunication, SSPX in Kenya insists on Catholic identity, fighting archdiocese
  • Father Joseph Wenderoth, a leader in correctional ministry, dies at 90
  • A big birthday
  • The drive that saved his life: Father J. Collin Poston returns to Carroll County parish after brush with death
  • Loyola awarded nearly $1 million to expand forensic science training, research

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED