Rita Buettner

Maybe because my birthday came during summer vacation, I don’t remember ever having a birthday party with friends – except one year. I’m not sure where my mother got the idea, but one January she decided to throw me a party for my half-birthday. catholicreview.org/a-big-birthday/ #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

@FrCollinPoston @CatholicReview Thank you for sharing your story! What a relief that you are OK.

Thank you @CatholicReview !

Father J. Collin Poston is back at St. Bartholomew — and it almost didn't happen this way. Back in February, his secretary noticed he didn't look right on a routine drive to an eye appointment. That instinct led to an ER visit, and doctors found he was hours from going septic. Emergency surgery followed, then two weeks in the hospital and a long recovery. He returned to his Manchester parish this Holy Week to applause from a community that never stopped praying for him. "I could have died, but I'm here," he said. "So I guess that means God has a good plan for me." catholicreview.org/the-drive-that… #LocalNews #WesternVicariate @FrCollinPoston

@Connie_Ann Thinking of you and holding you in prayer.

Told my therapist about my absence of executive functioning and overall sadness and she reminded me it's my grief season. My dad and grandma both died suddenly in 2020- dad on 6/25 and Gagi on 8/4. I associate crepe myrtle season with grief.

@OpenWindow_CR made the chicken dish. Real spices, real glaze, kitchen smelling incredible, husband excited. Then they took a bite... and had to toss it and eat broccoli and potatoes instead. Sound familiar? You do everything right — and it still falls apart. Here's the twist: maybe that's not a failure. Maybe it's an invitation. As Fulton Sheen (soon to be beatified!) put it — someday we'll thank God not just for what He gave us, but for what He refused us. The salty chicken isn't the point. The grace in the mess is. 📖 Full reflection: catholicreview.org/a-dinner-disas… What's your "dinner disaster" story — the plan that fell apart but taught you something anyway? 👇

Let’s treat ourselves to 7 Quick Takes. catholicreview.org/happy-250th-to… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

Faith, like a good swing, gets built one repetition at a time. Every game of catch is a small act of faith, showing up for your kids one ordinary moment at a time. 📖 Read: catholicreview.org/backyard-diamo… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog

Loyola has been awarded nearly $1 million in federal funding to create a forensic science training center, presented by U.S. Congressman @RepJohnnyO, of Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District, on Thursday, July 9, 2026. loyola.edu/news/2026/0709…

What drew 700+ people to the Baltimore Basilica in a single day? The major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque — and a faith that moves people across the world to kneel and pray. "When you approach the relic, you feel like the spirit is really there." Full story at the link. 🔗 catholicreview.org/major-relics-o… #SacredHeart #StMargaretMary #BaltimoreBasilica #ArchdioceseOfBaltimore #America250 #Saints #LocalNews

@franciscanmom It took me four. That was a new word for me!

Wordle 1,842 3/6* 🟨⬜🟨🟨⬜ 🟩⬜🟩🟨⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

This Fourth of July, as we celebrate the birth of our nation, may we reflect with gratitude on all that we enjoy in this land of the free and the home of the brave. And may God bless those who show up every day, whether for planned celebrations or for unexpected tragedy. What an incredible example they set for us in how to bring the love of Christ to others. catholicreview.org/a-fourth-of-ju… #HappyFourthOfJuly! #250thAnniversary #Blog #commentary #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

At the time of the American Revolution, Catholics may have comprised only 1 percent of the total population of the colonies – with the majority of them living in Maryland. Despite their small numbers, Catholics played a role in the founding of the United States of America. catholicreview.org/faith-freedom-… #250thAnniversary #LocalNews

@FrCollinPoston @CatholicReview Thank you for the kind comment, @FrCollinPoston! I loved the story about your recent health journey!

Thank you @CatholicReview and @OpenWindow_CR for this most timely article! #GodblessAmerica #Catholic #History #USA #freedom #religion

We had been in the store for just a few minutes when my son reached into a rack and pulled out a stuffed plush mustard. He showed it to me, and we looked at each other. It felt like the perfect gift. Did she like mustard? We didn’t know. Did she want a stuffed mustard? Maybe not. But we had a feeling this was the right gift. We added a couple other items to the gift pile, but they simply aren’t worth noting. catholicreview.org/relishing-a-7t… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

It was the morning of a double graduation party, and I had volunteered to get the balloons filled with helium. You might not think that would be a big deal, but that’s probably because you haven’t tried to have balloons filled recently. But I wasn’t thinking about a helium shortage or the fact that stores might be held liable for filling balloons purchased elsewhere. I was still an optimist, sure that balloon-filling was within easy reach. So, I grabbed the bag of balloons my son and his friend had purchased a few days before and went off, in my happy-go-lucky way. catholicreview.org/not-to-burst-y… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

When I was in college, my father would give me a ride back to school after being on breaks at home. Those were good 90-minute trips in the car, as we would drive north from Baltimore, listening to music and talking. I remember that my father shared words of advice – everything from driving tips to pointers on life and relationships. Soon enough, we would arrive in Lancaster, and I would say goodbye, climb out of the car, and head off to my dorm. catholicreview.org/special-delive… #HappyFathersDay #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

@franciscanmom Too funny 😂

@OpenWindow_CR My husband thinks I'm overreacting because I asked him to stock me up with some Costco tubs of M&Ms before the end of July 😂

If I can taste the turmeric I will be done with M&Ms forever 🤢

I knew our son’s high school graduation day would be a day to remember. These milestone moments are always unforgettable, and we were full of pride and excitement for this next big step. catholicreview.org/little-love-me… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

@franciscanmom Oh thank you so much, Barb! What a beautiful note.

It is @OpenWindow_CR’s special gift to notice those little ways God takes care of us. And it’s a practice we should all cultivate.