Happy Holidays from All of Us to You
As the holiday season rapidly approaches, Katalyst Software Services Limited is taking a pause to celebrate the season and each other as a team. Our Junior Marketing Coordinator, Gianna Torres, brought in Northwestern University Medill student Christian Surtz to video record a holiday film for the Evanston office that premiered at Katalyst’s annual holiday party on Saturday, December 15th. Our Administrative Associate, Melissa Valdespino, has been busier than jolly old Saint Nick planning different festive activities for the office. Not only did she plan the company holiday dinner, Melissa has kept us all in the holiday spirit by planning a Secret Santa gift exchange as well as an Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest on December 20th.
With team members old and new, Katalyst has taken this time to reflect and share each other’s favorite holiday traditions.
Melissa Valdespino | Administrative Associate
During the Christmas season, there are many wonderful Mexican traditions that my family and I partake in. From December 16th to Christmas Eve, we put on ‘Posada’ processions. Posada is Spanish for Inn or Lodging in which we sing the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for somewhere to stay. Once we finish singing the host of the posada offers ‘Ponche’ punch along with Tamales or “Pan Dulce’ sweet bread. For the kids, there are colorful piñatas filled with sugar cane, nuts, and clementines.
Wayne Ma | Senior Software Engineer
At New Year’s Eve, the whole we gather with our nearest and dearest for dinner, eating prosperity-begetting dishes like whole-fish, dumplings, sticky rice cakes, or even hot pot.
Ankita Patel | Compliance and Regulatory Administrative Partner
Diwali is one of the main festivals of Hindus. Diwali is celebrated the return of Lord Rama from his 14-year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. Diwali is a five-day festival of lights and joy, that is celebrated with fireworks, music and sharing traditional sweets.
Gianna Torres | Junior Marketing Coordinator
My family and I are practicing Roman Catholics, so for us, the holidays, and especially Christmas, are a time of prayer, spiritual reflection, joy, and waiting. In the Catholic Church, the season of Advent begins just as the holiday season begins, and it’s a period of waiting for the birth of Christ. Additionally, in my family, the holidays are a time for us to be together and to connect with our roots. For my family, who is from the Philippines, traditions include hanging up colorful parols, or star shaped lanterns, around the house, attending or hosting a Noche Buena, which is a dinner with delicious Filipino foods, on Christmas Eve, attending Midnight Christmas Mass, and visiting family friends or relatives (while eating more Filipino food).
From all of us at Katalyst Software Services Limited, may all your holidays be bright, merry, and filled with good cheer.
Happy Holidays!
