Rivington House is a 219-bed healthcare facility on the Lower East side of Manhattan that cares for people living with HIV/AIDS. Since 1996, the Redemptorists have worked there bringing pastoral care to the most abandoned. The House, as it is called by those who live and minister there, is known for treating the whole person struggling with AIDS, rather than focusing exclusively on the medical challenges. This approach has seen the Revington House develop into one of the premier care facilities for HIV/AIDS treatment in the United States. A place of hope and community Many who come to the House are of African American or Latino descent, have no money, and little or no contact with their families. The House provides state-of-the-art therapies. While the virus claims many lives despite medical efforts, with proper medications approximately 70% of the patients are able to transition back into the community. Redemptorist Lay Missionary Some residents struggle with feelings of deep rejection by their communities. They may also feel that God has rejected them or punished them with disease. Maureen O'Neill, Redemptorist Lay Missionary and Pastoral Care Coordinator at the House, addresses their needs through a ministry of presence and prayer. "I am with our residents when they are dying, when they have rough times, when they are improving. They need to be accepted as members of the community; they need to know they are accepted by God, their families, and their friends. So many are treated like outcasts." Maureen visits every resident who comes to the facility. She is available to pray with them in private and also in many forms of communal prayer. Despite seeing the great suffering at the House, she does a lot of rejoicing, "We celebrate birthdays, holidays, and the mystery of God's deep love for our residents. They have so much wisdom; it pours out in their prayers. The residents bless me, lift me up, and give me courage. AIDS is not going away; it truly ravages the poorest of the poor." Maureen furthers the legacy of St. Alphonsus in her work with those who feel abandoned. Her ministry is a blessing to the Congregation. For her part, "I am grateful to the Redemptorists for their outreach to the most abandoned."