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.

Hearing Dr. King’s voice today: 6 favorite quotes from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

Words can hurt, and words can heal. Words can divide people or build bridges.

Let it snow (but not too much), a baptism photo, a final batch of Christmas cookies, and avocado toast (7 Quick Takes)

January 11, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

If I can put in my snow request for the season, I would like one good snowstorm—maybe six inches or so—and then we can head into spring.

Starting the day with “Pastries for Parents”

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

Pastries for Parents.It’s such a lovely idea. You’ll take your child to school a half-hour early and sit in the cafeteria and talk about school and life and meet their friends and other parents. That’s the dream. The reality? Everyone has to wake up early, which naturally sets the whole day up for success. They’re […]

Oh, I want pugs for Christmas. Oh, only pugs will do.

January 6, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

This Christmas season as we were making paper towel snowmen and paper towel nativity figures to give as presents, I had an idea for a gift for a friend and her family.

It’s cold outside, preparing for Epiphany, great Christmas gifts, and a happy New Year (7 Quick Takes)

January 4, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

If the wind chill is 5 degrees on Thursday, how many cups of hot chocolate will Judy need when the wind chill is 15 degrees below zero on Friday?

Matched through adoption: The first time we saw our son’s picture

January 3, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Uncategorized

I knew then that what I had heard other adoptive parents say was true. You can fall in love with a photo.

A New Year’s Resolution: Giving others the benefit of the doubt

January 2, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

As I encounter people in my daily life—whether those who are close to me or those who are strangers—I am going to try to assume that they are acting with good intentions and their best understanding of situations.

Have yourself a merry little pot-luck

December 30, 2017
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

There are holiday gatherings, and then there are holiday gatherings with wonderful punny themes.

Red-nosed root beer, Star Wars without spoilers, and a few Christmas leftovers (7 Quick Takes)

December 28, 2017
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

My sister Treasa is helping my dreams of a Christmas-carol-themed potluck come true, serving “Jingle Balls” meatballs, “Frosty the Salmon” salad, “We Three Wings,” and asking me to bring “Feliz Navi-dip.”

Say ‘yes’ to God’s plan

December 26, 2017
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

As we look at the New Year ahead of us, it’s impossible to know what opportunities and challenges we will encounter during the next 365 days. We have no choice but to say yes to all of it, even the unknowns.

Counting down to Christmas, snowmen, skewers, scarves, and an adoption trip memory (7 Quick Takes)

December 21, 2017
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Before I was a mother, I thought Christmas countdowns were cute and decorative and fun. Now I think they exist so parents can direct their children to the nearest countdown feature.

Tidings of comfort and joy

December 19, 2017
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

This week we are lighting the pink candle on our Advent wreath as we say, “Gaudete!”