The Bible calls Christ the sole mediator between us and the Father. Mary leads us to Christ and intercedes for us, in the same way your pastor is probably trying to, except she succeeds and he fails. Consider this:
I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men: For kings, and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
Observe: prayers of intercession are urged in the same paragraph as the statement that Christ is "one mediator".
Indeed we are all to pray for one another and for those who are lost. But we are not to pray to someone to guide us to the fount of Holiness which is Christ Jesus. That is the Work of the Holy Spirit not Mary or the saints. The life of Mary and other godly Christians are great examples of people walking in faith and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why what is penned, written is Scriptures was left for us by God's Divine Grace and Love. If you can produce something God Breathed in Scriptures pointing out fellow 'call out ones' are to be prayed to please share with me.
CCC 2679 Mary is the perfect Orans (pray-er), a figure of the Church. When we pray to her, we are adhering with her to the plan of the Father, who sends his Son to save all men. Like the beloved disciple we welcome Jesus' mother into our homes, for she has become the mother of all the living. We can pray with and to her. The prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary and united with it in hope.
Notice Paul is writing to a church of live people!