A loyal reader alerted me to this news, which I found both surprising and heartening. I had no idea Gary Sinise was a convert, did you?

Read on:

Two priests were among more than a half-dozen Catholics in a group of 24 people awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal Dec. 10 by President George W. Bush.

University of Notre Dame professor Father Timothy R. Scully, a Holy Cross priest who directs the Indiana university’s Institute for Educational Initiatives, and Jesuit Father John P. Foley, executive chairman of the Cristo Rey Network of inner-city schools, along with philanthropists, educators, researchers, the librarian of Congress and actor Gary Sinise, received the second-highest civilian honor in a closed ceremony in the Oval Office.

The citation for Father Scully released by the White House noted that he “has committed his life to strengthening communities through faith-based education that prepares individuals for a lifetime of achievement, service and compassion.” It said he has “developed innovative ways to support under-resourced schools.”

Father Foley was cited for successfully reaching some of the country’s most vulnerable youths “and instilling in them a love of learning. Through his spiritual leadership of a faith-based education system that partners with the community, he has provided opportunities for young people to achieve their dreams,” the citation said.

That network includes Baltimore’s Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, which opened in 2007.

Mr. Sinise, known for his roles as the lead investigator in the TV series “CSI: NY” and as Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan in the film “Forrest Gump,” was cited as a humanitarian and a patriot.

“Working alongside our military and reaching out a compassionate hand to Iraqi children, he is helping a society once brutalized by a tyrant to rebuild and realize the great blessings of liberty,” said the citation. “He has also traveled the world to show America’s gratitude to our service members.”

In 2005, Hollywood-based Catholics in Media Associates honored Sinise with its Humanitarian Award for the same type of work. At that ceremony, Mr. Sinise thanked his wife, actress Moira Harris, for leading the family to embrace their Catholic faith and inspiring him to commit to service projects.

You can read more about the other Catholic honorees at the link.

UPDATE:FOB (Friend of the Bench) Tony Rossi notes there’s more about the Sinise family and their journey to Catholicism right here.