A farewell Mass of Blessing church service was held at the Holy Family Cathedral in Fatuoaiga, Wednesday evening, for all the athletes and officials, who are now ready to represent American Samoa in the upcoming XV Pacific Games to be held in Papua New Guinea next month.

Troy Polamalu, a retired NFL player, offered special remarks during the church service, and surprised many with his attendance at the mass, arriving with the Director of the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs, Jonathan Fanene, a fellow former NFL player.

The ceremony was lead by the Most Rev. Bishop Peter H. Brown while Fr. Petelo Siliako delivered the spiritual message during the mass, where he encouraged them to believe in God and never give up their hope — saying that nothing is impossible with God.

Offering words of encouragement to the 2015 PG Team Amerika Samoa were Pa’u Roy Ausage, on behalf of Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga, who was unable to attend.

In his brief spiritual message Fr. Siliako told the athletes,“You have to stick to your overall game plan and you must also be well aware of your plan in advance, because if you concentrate on your plan and stay focused, you will be able to fulfill your dreams.”

He told the athletes and officials,“You’re our ambassadors for the Pacific Games and we’re very proud of you. Remember that you have already achieved so much by getting qualified for the games, and you should be proud of your achievements.”

Fr. Siliako exhorted them to believe in themselves and “do what you have learnt to do and make sure to put God first in every step you take.”

Quoting Henry Russell “Red” Sanders, a renowned college player and coach in the 40s & 50s, Fr. Siliako said, “Keep this essential quote in your heart that ‘winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”

He then reminded all the athletes that the chance they are given to represent American Samoa at the Pacific Games is a “golden chance” from God, because of the talent they have and the trust that families, friends and leaders have given them.

He ended his spiritual message with a quote by Knute Rockne, a University of Notre Dame coach, who is considered one of the greatest coaches in American football saying, “Win or lose, do it fairly,” and added words from the Apostle Paul who says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Polamalu’s remarks were well received by those in attendance at the Mass — starting with one of his ‘smiles’, the audience also responded with smiles and “Amen”.

“Talofa lava, malo le soifua,” were the Samoan words Polamalu offered to open his special remarks, then followed by an apology for not speaking the Samoan language well.

Polamalu told the athletes that he was honored to speak to them, and told the athletes that worship in church is the same as going to a game.

“When you worship, you have to open up all your hearts, mind and body to Christ as your Savior, and when you play, you have to put up everything you have to achieve your goal, and I believe that every one of you who are now ready for the Pacific Games has put up everything for only one purpose— to win— and to make our country proud,” Polamalu said.

He explained to the athletes why he has been able to succeed in life.

“I believe that the passion that Christ has shown to us was the main message for us to be good in life, and that… motivates me to do better on the football field,” Polamalu said with a smile on his face, while the audience shouted out “Amen.”

“So I believe that all of you guys have the best talent, and I’ve seen some of you playing in the states, like you, (pointed out his finger to Frankie Eteuati, who plays basketball in the U.S.) who plays basketball out there. I want to see that talent. I want you to show how good you are when you perform out in the field,” Polamalu told the athletes.

He further reminded them that it’s not about the talent, it’s also about how they show that talent.

“You need to worship God with that talent. You need to give out all your talent for our country because Christ gave us all His life to rescue us and to bring us back into life,” Polamalu said.

In closing, Pa’u thanked the Most Rev. Bishop Brown and the Holy Family Cathedral in Fatuoaiga for the special farewell service for the athletes and officials, who are ready to compete for American Samoa. He also thanked families and friends for their support, as well as members of the public who showed up to _support.

Pa’u, whose daughter is part of the 85-athlete contingent for the Pacific Games, reminded them that only in God we can do better, and they need to remember who they are, the culture they are from and the name of the country that they’re going to represent.

He closed his remarks with a Samoan quote saying, “Ia lele malie lau Ti’a i ulupaga,” meaning, “May you perform well at the Pacific Games.”