Pray and Do Not Worry September 16, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window It was late afternoon, and my son and I were running late for an appointment—again. As we walked across the parking lot, a woman approached us. “Would you help me?” she said. I could see the distress in her eyes, and I could tell she really did need help. She pointed to her car, which […]
Sadness after the closing of adoption from China September 8, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I learned last week that China has closed its international adoption program. The closing is a blow to a program that has brought so many families together.
10 tips for new working moms September 1, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window The other day I was chatting with a colleague who is a relatively new mom. We were talking about the challenges of working while raising a child. Her baby boy had started walking while they were on vacation, and she was relieved not to have missed seeing that happen for the first time. She mentioned […]
Holding Onto Summer August 31, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Summer is my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it—the heat, the long sunny days, and the lack of routine. This summer we didn’t plan much for our teens, and that only enhanced the time off. It was a season of freedom—no bedtimes and no early mornings. It was glorious. And we […]
Keep the faith, parents August 25, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window That is part of being a parent—offering, inviting, hoping, and loving, and recognizing that your child might take a different path.
No warranty needed August 19, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window ’Tis the season for back-to-school shopping, and last week I found myself at the computer store, picking up a laptop. The store employee behind the counter rang up the purchase and then looked at me. “Do you want to get the warranty on that?” “No,” I said. “It costs almost half the price of the […]
Food for the Back-to-School Journey August 11, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Each of us needs nourishment today and tomorrow. We need something to sustain us through the challenges and obstacles along the way.
That Pommel Horse Guy August 3, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Olympics, Open Window, Uncategorized His name is Stephen Nedoroscik, but they call him Clark Kent. After hours of waiting for his turn, he pulls off his glasses, strides up to the pommel horse, swings around with incredible skill and strength, and dismounts. He’s an athlete and an artist. He has an eye condition that prevents him seeing while he’s […]
The Gift of a Birthday Surprise July 27, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window My birthday happens to fall on July 26, the feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne, our Blessed Mother’s parents. We don’t know much about their lives, but we know that they became parents late in life—and later the grandparents of Jesus. Their story shows us a few things: Faith can move mountains. God has […]
FOMO and the National Eucharistic Congress July 20, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized I pray that this is a fruitful experience for those who are there, of course. But I have to imagine that an event like this can have a profound impact far beyond the event itself.
Why did the frog cross the road? July 18, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window The frog could have crossed the road at any time, but it just happened to leap when we were in that particular spot.
The Harvest is Abundant July 10, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Summer is a time of abundance. This season is overflowing with possibility. There is a richness and a joy to summer that I cherish, even on the hottest days when everyone around me is complaining about heat and humidity.