• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • 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
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
        • CR for Kids
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Shop
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
        • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Kids
  • Radio/Podcasts
        • Catholic Review Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
        • In God’s Image
        • “In Charity and Truth” with Archbishop William E. Lori
  • Subscribe

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.

Welcome, baby girl!

June 25, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

You don’t know me, and I don’t know you. But I can’t wait for us to get to know each other a little bit every day.

A blooming bush, staycation plans, the wurst dinner, Father’s Day fun, and more (7 Quick Takes)

June 21, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

The butterfly bush that was my Mother’s Day gift has started to bloom! I’m looking forward to seeing the butterflies come from far and wide to visit.

A tuxedo for graduation

June 17, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I’m not a mother who thinks my children need to have everything they want when they want it, but when our 11-year-old asked for a tuxedo, I couldn’t help myself.

A trip to Chicago, meeting Sister Jean, seeing a long-time friend for the first time, and a birthday wish (7 Quick Takes)

June 14, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I find flying to be completely exhilarating and also terrifying. I do love to fly. But I also believe that we will probably crash. I’m always astounded when we land safely at the other end.

When less – or different – is more

June 11, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

As the first blossoms of spring transition into the vibrant greens of early summer, may we be open to the opportunities that lie ahead, recognizing that each of us can contribute to our family, our community, and our world in different ways at different moments.

A love of nature, pizza delivery, National Donut Day, a moment of fame, and more (7 Quick Takes)

June 7, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

During our visit to my in-laws on Maryland’s Eastern Shore last weekend, I took our boys on a trip to the store. As we were driving, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye and my younger son yelled, “STOP!”

In the right place at the right time

June 3, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

This wasn’t a mistake. We weren’t attending Mass in some random parish that just happened to fit our travel schedule. We were exactly where we were supposed to be.

Cooking up a fun summer, graduation gifts, buddy benches, and a flag cake (7 Quick Takes)

May 31, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

The other day our younger son came to me with an idea. “What if we filled a jar with pieces of paper with fun things to do this summer? We could pick one every day and then go do it!”

Is it summer vacation yet?

May 29, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

It’s not that I’m ready for summer. It’s just that I need the school year to end.

67 Ways to Do the Works of Mercy with Your Kids (An author Q&A)

May 28, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Books, Open Window

With very full lives, it can be easy to feel that there’s no way to fit anything else into your day. So, when I saw that Heidi Indahl had written 67 Ways to Do the Works of Mercy with Your Kids, I was immediately intrigued.

Yard sales, commencement joy, cotton candy for breakfast, and free Easter egg dye (7 Quick Takes)

May 24, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I could write quick takes or take care of the pile of dirty dishes in the sink. I think we both know which one I picked.

A graduation address by the rider-less Preakness horse, Bodexpress

May 19, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Uncategorized

If you run the race you were meant to run, if you do it with heart and conviction and joy, you will discover you don’t need the winner’s circle. Because you will already have won.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 49
  • Page 50
  • Page 51
  • Page 52
  • Page 53
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 77
  • Go to Next Page »

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

  • ‘Hillbilly Thomists’ set to perform at Ss. Philip and James
  • Catholics offer prayers, express solidarity over 2 ICE shooting deaths in less than a week
  • Dogs Go to Heaven
  • French bishops decry vote legalizing ‘assisted dying’ as ‘turning point’ in nation’s history
  • Sister Kathleen Marie Engers, beloved founder of Baltimore’s Pumpkin Theater, dies at 101
  • Archdiocese of Baltimore will host fourth annual gun buyback
  • Death toll in Venezuela nears 5,000 as earthquake recovery intensifies
  • Senators press Blanche on mifepristone lawsuits, Epstein survivors
  • Pilgrims walk in the steps of the Georgia Martyrs

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED