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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.

stained glass window showing scenes of Jesus' life

A Goal for 2024

January 30, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Then I thought of going to Mass. I should be able to get to 100 Masses over the next 12 months.

Why did the colleague cross the road?

January 23, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It was sunny and cold. Somehow it felt even colder because of the graying snow lining the curbs. I was leaving work, and I had just texted my son to let him know I was on my way. Just getting out of my parking spot into the flow of traffic was a challenge, with a […]

Nighttime conversations with children and God

January 15, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

The wonder of the Bible reading might be that—even though he’s tired and half-asleep—Eli realizes that God is calling Samuel and tells him how to respond the next time he hears the voice. Eli tells Samuel to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

The saint you need for January

January 13, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

In the dreariness of January, we might be feeling kind of meh. Well, it turns out there’s a saint for that.

Guide us to thy perfect light

January 6, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Some days we might be like the shepherd in the fields, meeting God unexpectedly without warning. Other days we might be more like the wise men, following a star, looking for God and answering his invitation to be with him.

Head into the adventure of the New Year

December 29, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

As we prepare to begin a new year, I know that the days might not seem all that different on the other side of midnight on January 1. But they also await us with wonder, holding new opportunities and new discoveries.

Christmas gifts and memories in the making (7 Quick Takes)

December 28, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Christmas, Commentary, Open Window

What a whirlwind Christmas is every year! When our children were younger, I felt more pressure to make sure Christmas was magical. Celebrating Christmas with teens means this season is still magical, but in a different way.

The missing apple

December 28, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

God will give us our daily bread. He will ensure that we are not alone, and that we are equipped with the faith and the strength for whatever we might face.

No room at the inn but joy abounds

December 20, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Commentary, Open Window

When we got off the plane, we found out a snowstorm had canceled all the flights to the East Coast.

Power of presence

December 11, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Commentary, The Domestic Church

This Advent and Christmas season, the time is right for us to rediscover that familiar story and experience God’s presence in a new way, knowing we are exactly where we need to be.

So, this is Advent

December 10, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Commentary, Open Window

That day when I had that sudden thought, the child who would become our younger son was newly born and not far away. Only God could have known that.

A new baby for Advent

December 7, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Commentary, Open Window

There is nothing like that wait for the baby to arrive, especially in those final hours before the birth.

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