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.

Easy ways to celebrate Chinese New Year, homework issues, a road trip, and the Statue of Liberty

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

Today we start the Year of the Dog, which is somehow much more exciting than the rooster or the goat. We are all quite excited about it.

Praying our way through Lent: A basket of prayer intentions

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

It’s such a simple thing. It’s not particularly creative. And the intentions are spilling over onto our table.

Looking for God’s love: When Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day

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

Those signs of love, and Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice and expression of love, tell us even more about the Giver and our relationship with Him than the paper valentines my sons will sign and deliver.

Lesson in love

February 9, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

In the wake of the death of her brother-in-law, Rita Buettner encourages readers to build a legacy of love.

Chinese New Year, electricity problems, sewing bunnies, the soup of the day, and a recent brush with fame (7 Quick Takes)

February 9, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

My favorite holiday is next week—Chinese New Year!

Finding a new focus this Lent

February 8, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Sometimes it takes a child to remind you of the challenges God places before us, the ways He wants us to refine ourselves more and more so we can be all He wants us to be in this world.

Bread and butter and memories

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

Every time I spread butter on bread, I stop and think of our friend, Father Tom.

Fresh chocolate chip cookies, Groundhog Day, potato peeling, fun at the office, and more (7 Quick Takes)

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

Last weekend when I made chocolate chip cookies, I made a big double batch and ended up with way too many.

Celebrating the small victories of an ordinary workday

January 29, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

In life, it’s the little moments that add up to the big ones. The small wins become the larger ones.

Afternoon tea, 5 things you might not know about me, Pokemon tournaments, and more (7 Quick Takes)

January 25, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I spontaneously invited friends to come for afternoon tea, and we had such a wonderful
time.

Thank you, God, for the usual

January 24, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Every morning when I ask, “What would you like for breakfast today?” our fourth grader says, “The usual.”

How to cut an onion without tears, that art app, snow days, and growing crystals (7 Quick Takes)

January 19, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

For years and years I have cried while cutting onions.