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We are to pray to God the father, not God the mother. I am just trying to get a better understanding of why catholics pray to Mary. Mary was a woman that was highly favored, but even Jesus prayed to God, not to his mother.

Amen.

From a recent FR thread, this link was posted wherein we learn that among the many titles given to Mary by the RCC ("Co-redeemer," "Mediatrix," "Dispensatrix of all Grace," "Mother of the Church," Mother of us All," etc.) she is now considered to be "Queen of the Universe."

SOME REVEALING CATHOLIC NAMES,
TITLES AND PRAYERS TO MARY

" Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, I who am the most miserable of all sinners, have recourse this day. I venerate thee, great Queen, and I thank thee for the many graces thou hast bestowed upon me even unto this day; in particular for having delivered me from the hell which I have so often deserved by my sins. I love thee, most dear Lady; and for the love I bear thee, I promise to serve thee willingly for ever and to do what I can to make thee loved by others also. I place in thee all my hopes for salvation; accept me as thy servant and shelter me under thy mantle, thou who art the Mother of mercy. And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least obtain for me the strength to overcome them until death. From thee I implore a true love for Jesus Christ. Through thee I hope to die a holy death. My dear Mother, by the love thou bearest to Almighty God, I pray thee to assist me always, but most of all at the last moment of my life. Forsake me not then, until thou shalt see me safe in heaven, there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies through all eternity. Such is my hope. Amen. (St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Rockford, Illinois: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1982, p. 4.

Roman Catholics are instructed to "place all their hopes for salvation" in Mary?!?

Roman Catholics believe Mary "delivers them from hell?!?"

Romans Catholics "serve Mary?!?"

Roman Catholics believe Mary "delivers them from all temptation?!?"

Roman Catholics believe men die "a holy death through Mary?!?"

It all just goes to show the power of persuasion, that some cannot admit 'is there not a lie in my right hand.'

"Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" -- Isaiah 44:15-20

Um, if I may offer what the Catholic Church has taught me over the years:

Roman Catholics are instructed to "place all their hopes for salvation" in Mary?!?

Salvation was made possible by the death of Christ on the cross. Mary was a witness and bore the pain and grief of a mother as her son died for our sins. We ask for her intercession through prayer to help us through the Holy Spirit.

Roman Catholics believe Mary "delivers them from hell?!?"

See answer above with the caveat that prayers from the entire Communion of Saints, both in flesh and those who have gone before us and who are now with God, are meant to help those who died in a state of sin.

Romans Catholics "serve Mary?!?"

Because of our love of Christ, we serve His sheep, His flock. Mary does the same as she is one of us.

Roman Catholics believe Mary "delivers them from all temptation?!?"

Huh? Rebuffing temptation in favor of good and holy decisions is a personal choice. We can ask the Blessed Mother to pray for us that God in the Trinity will help us make the right decisions.

Roman Catholics believe men die "a holy death through Mary?!?"

Well, as the prayer says, "...pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death." there might be something to that, but it's a matter of prayer and we still have to answer for what we've done or not done on earth.