Catholics will have an opportunity to contribute to the relief of Christians in Iraq as parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are invited to take up a special collection for the effort at Masses this month.

Archbishop Charles Chaput has asked parishes to take up the collection on the weekends of Sept. 6-7 or Sept. 20-21.

If some parishes may not be able to participate, individuals can still donate to the effort by making a contribution directly to Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. Catholic bishops’ agency for disaster relief and overseas development.