PITTSBURGH—Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik says 204 Roman Catholic parishes in the six-county diocese will take a special collection to aid relief efforts for those affected by superstorm Sandy in New York and New Jersey.

The collections will be taken at all Masses on Saturday and Sunday.

The money will be forwarded to the national office of Catholic Charities USA that is working with church organizations providing relief in the affected states.

Zubik says that working through Catholic Charities will ensure the money goes to "the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable."

The bishop says the aftermath of the storm has been "unfathomable" and says "we must respond."