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.

St. Therese’s little way: Taking up the bread and wine

September 30, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Carrying the bread and wine to the altar is such a small thing to do—just a tiny step when you consider that the bread and wine then becomes the Body and Blood and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Trumpet of the Swan, early pumpkin carving, and how we celebrated our 14th anniversary (7 Quick Takes)

September 28, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

What were your favorite books when you were a child? Our younger son’s current favorite is The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White.

An encounter at the Charm City Night Market

September 23, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Uncategorized

Weeks ago when I heard that Baltimore’s Chinatown Collective was planning the Charm City Night Market, I marked my calendar. I could not wait to go and kick off the Moon Festival with Asian food and music at a festival near Baltimore’s former Chinatown.

Slot car racing, homework fun, back to school night, and an Orioles game (7 Quick Takes)

September 20, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

The other day my phone rang, and I saw that it was my father. It was a rainy day, he was making a round-trip to New York that day, and he had left a few boxes of slot cars and track at his house for us.

Discovering the power of faith formation programs

September 15, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

On Catechetical Sunday, I am feeling so very grateful to our parish and the catechists who care so deeply about our children’s faith. We are definitely not alone on this journey.

Finding comfort in the Blessed Mother’s sorrow

September 15, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Life is so good and full of so much wonder and joy. But life can also be difficult and painful and sad. When it is, we know we can go running to our Blessed Mother, and she will understand.

A visit to the Basilica, a message in a pancake, the joy of a soccer-less autumn, and more (7 Quick Takes)

September 14, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Getting to daily Mass isn’t even a goal most of the time, but yesterday I managed to slip downtown to the Baltimore Basilica for Mass, and it was just what I needed.

Boots on the ground (but not on a field trip)

September 12, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

It’s the rainiest week of the rainiest month of the rainiest year. At least it feels that way.

Fabric of Faith: A Q&A with Theresa Conlan of Happy Nest Home Goods

September 10, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Theresa Conlan of Happy Nest Home Goods is releasing her first cross stitch patterns this week! We took a few minutes to chat about her art, her business, and her faith.

Clouds, a new school year, puzzles, fishing, when things fall apart, and more (7 Quick Takes)

September 7, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Don’t you just love clouds? I don’t think I look up at the sky often enough. I saw this one last night, and I loved how it was lit up from behind like a lightbulb.

A day that takes the cake

September 5, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Our younger son has been asking me to bake a cake.

“Raven” about a wish that came true

September 1, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

When you’re counting down to an event, it seems to take forever to get there. And then all of a sudden, it’s time! And you’re there! And it’s all happening in a wonderful rush.