• 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 Kids
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Shop
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
        • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Kids
  • News Tips
  • Radio/Podcasts
        • Catholic Review Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
        • In God’s Image
        • “In Charity and Truth” with Archbishop William E. Lori
  • 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.

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.

A rose from St. Therese

September 30, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

If you’ve ever prayed a novena to St. Therese of Lisieux, you know that as you pray, you start looking for roses.

Getting cornfused in a maze, dress shopping, an apple pie in the new kitchen, and more (7 Quick Takes)

September 26, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Many years autumn comes and autumn goes and we haven’t had a chance to do the fun fall things we look forward to all year. This year we are trying to be more intentional about fitting things in.

Fifteen years ago today…

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

We knew we were saying yes to forever, so maybe 15 years doesn’t seem like much. But as I look back on that time, I feel so very grateful.

Make room for the essential

September 24, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

As we begin the start of a new school year, and children and young people are filling their backpacks for a season of new opportunities, maybe we, too, can take the time to look at what’s filling our lives.

A neighborhood walk, our utensil drawer, puzzles, guacamole, and my newest pins (7 Quick Takes)

September 20, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Last Saturday morning I took a walk with our fourth grader through our neighborhood. He rode his bicycle, and I followed along behind, not even trying to keep up. I knew he would stop as we went along.

Everything you ever wanted to know (and then some) about our kitchen renovation

September 15, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

This story begins six years ago when John and I dropped our sons off at my parents’ house to go house hunting.

Surviving a kitchen renovation, late-night school supply runs, cake decorating, and more (7 Quick Takes)

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

Our kitchen renovation is complete! It took exactly three weeks from start to finish, and I can’t believe how different and beautiful the space is.

How to pick a backsplash for your kitchen

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

So, you’re renovating your kitchen. Congratulations!

Back to school, kitchen renovations, the end of summer, and a big decision (7 Quick Takes)

September 6, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

We are officially back to school! I’m so grateful that both our boys seem to have transitioned back to school smoothly—even though we are all exhausted from the week.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 57
  • Page 58
  • Page 59
  • Page 60
  • Page 61
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 88
  • 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

  • St. Francis of Assisi in Fulton rededicated
  • Archbishop Lori urges women religious to model renewal of American political culture 
  • Praying through the noise
  • In Cuernavaca, North American bishops focus on migration, AI and Church cooperation
  • Pope Leo ends COVID-era salary cuts for cardinals and senior Vatican officials
  • Loyola University Maryland announces new and expanded financial aid initiatives for eligible students of fall 2027 
  • Pope Leo XIV names US bishops’ migration committee chair as new bishop of Joliet, Illinois
  • Vatican document affirms interreligious dialogue as essential to ‘journey of hope’ for humanity
  • Cardinal Czerny inaugural recipient of Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED