A Day in the Life

On Wednesday two weeks ago, Gomes spent the morning meeting with the Memorial Church organist and associate minister before heading to an appointment with the humanist chaplain.

Later that afternoon, he met with the widow of a Harvard professor to prepare for her husband's memorial service.

At 4 p.m., he joined Harvard Friends of Chabad to light a Hanukkah menorah on the steps of Widener Library before heading over to his weekly tea at Sparks House, the official residence of the Plummer professor.

Serving sandwiches, cookies and cake, Gomes welcomes all members of the College for casual conversation and company. With the holiday season in full effect, he has hosted students for Thanksgiving dinner, had luncheons for visiting preachers and held dinners for the church choir.

"December is heavy-duty entertainment season," he says.

Over tea in Sparks House, he proudly shows off a recent copy of the Delta Shuttle magazine--in which he was featured.

The minister is used to the limelight, and being recently named one of Talk magazine's "top talkers" was amusing--but the article didn't make it onto his antique-adorned mantle.