Great Day at St. Ray's The Rev. William Singlton invested as monsignor
 
by Mike Schnitzel
liherald.com
June 2, 2005 

https://www.liherald.com/stories/great-day-at-st-rays-the-rev-william-singleton-invested-as-monsignor,10326


And so, the Rev. William Singleton of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church in East Rockaway was elevated to the rank of monsignor.

Singleton was appointed pastor of St. Raymond's in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 1996 - a retirement during which he continued to serve the church. First, he was asked to fill in at Our Lady of Peace in Lynbrook, then at St. Francis, and several other parishes. Prior to serving as pastor of St. Raymond's, Singleton, who was ordained in 1950, served as a priest at Our Lady of Lourdes in Malverne for 20 years.

Singleton has been a very popular figure at St. Raymond's, and is well-known for his work with children at the parish.

"It's quite common for people who have moved away from the parish to stop by for a visit and ask how Father Singleton is doing and say what a positive impact he had on them as kids," said Msgr. William Jablonski, the current pastor of St. Raymond's.

Jablonski also noted Singleton as a healer, recalling the time he spent at Our Lady of Peace in Lynbrook after the death of the Rev. Larry Penzes. "The death of Father Larry was an almost unbearable loss to that community and parish and it was Father Singleton's experience and compassion that got them through a very adverse time," said Jablonski.

During a reception sponsored by the Knights of Columbus held after the Mass, Singleton said, "Outside of my ordination, this is the happiest day of my life, and I am fortunate to have had many, many happy days."