Coachella Valley Remembers 9/11 Victims With Special Mass Honoring Local Resident

Across the Coachella Valley, ceremonies continue to honor those lost during the September 11th attacks—reminders that the tragedy reached even communities more than 2,000 miles away. At St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Palm Springs, parishioners gathered for a special mass dedicated to Barbara Keating, a longtime church volunteer who was killed aboard American Airlines Flight 11 which authorities say crashed into the North Tower just before 9 a.m. on September 11th, 2001. For students at the parish school, 9/11 is history they’ve only read about, but organizers hope these gatherings bring the event’s human impact into sharper focus. Mary Arthen, the current parish secretary and the last staff member to have known Keating personally, said the annual mass helps ensure her legacy lives on. “It brings me back to that day like it just happened yesterday. We don’t ever want to forget,” she shared.

Students say the service fosters a strong sense of community, reminding them how one life can deeply influence many others. Church leaders say they will continue to honor Keating and the nearly 3,000 victims of 9/11, ensuring future generations understand the profound impact of that day.