LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Monday asked parishes to add a special collection during the next two weekends to help those affected by the Maui wildfires.

The donations will be managed by the Los Angeles office of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of four Pontifical mission societies that supports worldwide underserved communities, according to the diocese.

In a letter sent to all parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the church asked that collections be taken during the weekends of Aug. 19-20 and 26-27.

"We are reaching out to our Archdiocesan parishes and communities to join together to offer prayer and financial support for all whose lives are being touched by this devastation," church leaders wrote.

Pope Francis has expressed his sadness at the deaths and destruction caused by the wildfires in Hawaii and assured those affected by the fires of his prayers, according to the letter.

People who want to make a donation through the church can visit the Donate page of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Los Angeles and specify Maui Wildfires in the memo box.

The entire collection will go toward those affected by the situation in Maui. For more information, call the Archdiocese's Mission Office, 213-637-7223, or email missionoffice@la-archdiocese.org.