Did I ever say she wasn't in heaven? Really? Where?
Everyone is alive somewhere after they die on this earth so the argument that people are alive in heaven justifying praying to them falls flat.
That does not give us leave to contact those who have died in their physical bodies. There are no instructions to pray like that.
On the contrary, when Jesus was asked by His disciples to pray, He told them this......
Luke 11:1-13 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say:
"Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."
And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
We have these tremendous teachings and promises from Jesus Himself about our prayers to God the Father being answered and you guys advocate to praying to mere created beings. Why? What are they going to do for you that God Himself won't?
Catholics regularly harangue Protestants about not putting the words of Christ Himself above the rest of Scripture, and not following the examples and teaching of Christ.
And yet we have here teaching that is clear and plain and to the point from Jesus Himself. Why do Catholics not follow it here like they exhort everyone else to elsewhere?
OK so you concede that Mary is alive and in Heaven, no?
It is only primitive superstition that leads anyone to believe that they will be "alive" in heaven or hell. There is no Scripture to support that you, you loved ones, and your favorite dog Sparky will be living on a cloud or anything similar to human life.
Scripture only supports that those who achieve (yes, I said achieve) Salvation will have their souls continue for eternity in the presence of the Lord. Those who are not saved will perish.