How Toby Keith’s Music and Faith Inspired Me February 6, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized When I saw that Toby Keith had passed away at 62, I was stunned. Somehow it didn’t seem possible. I’m a country music fan, and his music was part of the soundtrack running in the background of my life. I remember listening to his music with my sister Treasa during the ’90s when he was […]
A Goal for 2024 January 30, 2024By 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, 2024By 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, 2024By 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, 2024By 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, 2024By 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, 2023By 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, 2023By 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.
No room at the inn but joy abounds December 20, 2023By 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.
So, this is Advent December 10, 2023By 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, 2023By 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.
A masterpiece on my windshield November 27, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I went outside, slipped into the driver’s seat, and glanced up to discover that the windshield was covered. Instead of the frost I’m used to seeing, however, the glass was enveloped in a beautiful, delicate pattern of ice.
