Alex and Miriam Duketow have been married for 21 years. Along with their nine children, they form Rhythm and Grace, a folk music band from Ontario, Canada dedicated to praising God through song and dance.
ALEX AND MIRIAM DUKETOW
'A lot of our original songs try to capture where our Catholic faith meets our everyday life, in the joys and in the challenges, and our songs to us have become kind of a constant prayer to God that we're all sharing in.'
The Duketows' music includes instruments from guitars to accordions, from the piano to the Irish whistle. They even mix in some step-dancing.
As parents, Alex and Miriam say that watching their children take on a larger role in the band reminds them of God's gift of parenthood.
ALEX AND MIRIAM DUKETOW
“It's been really neat as parents to really understand that our children have been entrusted to us, they're a gift to us, and God has given them gifts. Just, how can we support that, how can we give them give them the space to flourish? It's been a beautiful thing to be a part of.”
Rhythm and Grace has completed three tours performing throughout Canada. The Duketows say that the band has helped their family look beyond themselves and offer their gifts to the world.
ALEX AND MIRIAM DUKETOW
“As a family, like an outward focus, too, like I think our world really lacks that these days. We are so encouraged to have that “look after ourselves” and have that inward focus, and people are living side by side but not looking out, and I think as families there are so many ways that we can contribute to the world around us.”
Through music, the Duketow family continues to share their faith throughout Canada and beyond: a reminder that a family that not only prays together, but plays together, stays together.
JM
