A Key Ingredient June 15, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window For years, I have turned to my next-door neighbor Kathy for help.
Come, Holy Spirit: A Pentecost Reflection June 8, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window As an adult, though, I lean hard on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, for courage, and for inspiration.
Sometimes I cook dinner, summer is here, and other miracles (7 Quick Takes) May 31, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized Summer is my favorite time of year, and I am looking forward to being outside more and enjoying longer, slower days. I love everything about summer.
When children grow up (and the Feast of the Visitation) May 30, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window The other day, I watched as my son, who was stuck in a challenging situation, stepped forward to advocate for himself—politely and firmly. He was heard without any apparent criticism, the problem was immediately resolved, and the world continued to turn. It took my breath away. But at 15 and 17, he and his brother […]
Scrambled eggs in the car, Confirmation joy, and Wordle losses (7 Quick Takes) May 23, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window It’s May, which means every now and then we have a night without baseball or a concert or some other commitment. Mostly, though, it’s a mad dash to the finish. Not to wish time away, but summer can start anytime. It’s my absolute favorite time of year.
A Ticket to Pope Leo’s First Papal Audience May 21, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Back in early April, Abigail Benjamin submitted a request for tickets to attend a papal audience in May. Not many people were requesting tickets at the time, as a cardinal handled the papal audiences for an ailing Pope Francis. But Abigail felt she and her husband, Jon, should go. They could never have known that […]
The pope is speaking my language May 16, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I never thought we would have an American pope, so I had no expectations for how that might different for me, as an American. I had never considered what it would be like to hear a pope talk in English with an American accent.
Who is our new pope, Pope Leo XIV? May 10, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window What a gift this pope could be—and is—to our Church. What a blessing to have a pope who has so much to bring to this time.
A Grandmother’s Roses May 6, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window The rain is just what the rosebush needs.
Queen of the May April 30, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Once upon a time I was a second grader at St. Pius X School in Towson. One day, our teacher, Sister Suzanne, announced to my class that it was time to prepare for the May Procession.
5 Lessons Pope Francis Taught Us April 22, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Remembering Pope Francis Weeks ago, when it became clear that Pope Francis’ health was failing, I thought I had come to terms with the possibility of him passing away. When I woke up to the news that he had died, however, I realized I wasn’t prepared at all. Yes, we knew he was elderly and battling double pneumonia. […]
The story of the melted bunnies April 15, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window Weeks and weeks ago, I was walking down the seasonal aisle at the grocery store when I stopped to look at the Easter candy. I spotted chocolate bunnies who were posed as if they were taking selfies. I thought of my niece in college several states to the north. I knew she would be amused. […]
