• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Welcome to the world, little one

June 5, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Backpacks were packed, shoes were on, and we were gathering things to head out the door when the phone rang.It was my little sister.

“You have a new nephew!” she said. She told me that our younger brother and his wife had welcomed their new baby boy—their fifth child—in the early morning hours. He wasn’t named yet, but he was here, safe and sound.

We congratulated each other on our aunthood, made a few intentionally wrong guesses at his name, and then we hung up.

I had fun sharing the news with our boys and later my husband. There’s something marvelous about being the bearer of good news. This little baby’s birth changed the whole day.

Not that I was able to focus entirely on my new nephew. It was so busy at the office that I didn’t even have a chance to call the hospital gift shop to order a large, borderline-obnoxious balloon for the big siblings to enjoy when their baby brother comes home.

As the hours passed throughout the day, there seemed to be complications and challenges—an unexpected doctor’s visit, friends and family who needed prayers, even word of a suicide of a celebrity who had seemed to have an idyllic life. It was, in some ways, a heavy day.

Still, I kept thinking of our new baby cousin and nephew, and I found myself smiling just to know that he is here. This baby, every child, is a gift. There’s a newness and an excitement, a sense of hope and joy that comes with the arrival of a new baby. And that joy touches everything in the day.

When I saw this little one’s picture for the first time, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He has chubby cheeks and perfect little fingers, and something about him that reminds me of a couple of his big brothers. He’s just so cute. (Sorry to disappoint, but the baby photo at the top of this piece is not of him.)

He lives hours away, so I won’t get to hold him for a while, but I know he will wait patiently to meet his Aunt Rita. And one day I’ll tell him the story of how I remember that first phone call telling us that he had arrived, just as I remember the call announcing every one of his cousins and siblings.

Welcome to the world, baby boy. We can’t wait to get to know you.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Rita Buettner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Question Corner: Does a married person need their marriage blessed or ‘convalidated’ once they become Catholic?

Forcing clergy to break the seal of confession harms victims

My church, myself: Motherhood, mystery and mercy

Our unexpected pope

The choices of our new pope

| Recent Local News |

New interim Hispanic, Urban delegates ready to serve Archdiocese of Baltimore

Father Patrick Carrion offers blessing before Preakness

Peruvian priest in Baltimore crossed paths with Pope Leo

William McCarthy lauded with evening of accolades as he prepares to retire as Catholic Charities director

Catholic school academic honorees return to lead alma maters at Bishop Walsh, Archbishop Curley

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • New interim Hispanic, Urban delegates ready to serve Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Father Patrick Carrion offers blessing before Preakness
  • Peruvian priest in Baltimore crossed paths with Pope Leo
  • Vance, Rubio to attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass
  • William McCarthy lauded with evening of accolades as he prepares to retire as Catholic Charities director
  • Pope encourages Christian Brothers to evangelize through education
  • Tennessee diocese clarifies Mass obligations as immigration crackdown empties pews
  • Catholic school academic honorees return to lead alma maters at Bishop Walsh, Archbishop Curley
  • Question Corner: Does a married person need their marriage blessed or ‘convalidated’ once they become Catholic?

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED