Is there a picture of a loved one in there? Do you sometimes kiss that picture?
Why - says the martian of your example, come down to observe us - do you worship that person? Or do you regard the substance of the photograph itself - the paper, the printing - as worshipful?
"Ah no my Martian friend", you stammer. "I was expressing love for my wife, my baby daughter, my girlfriend. I do not worship them. Nor do I worship paper and photographic ink. Why, the very idea is absurd!"
My point is: your viewpoint on the kissing of statues to express love and devotion approximates to that of the uncomprehending Martian.
You simply assume the statue is an idol, just as a poorly-educated martian might assume your photograph in your wallet is an idol. But it isn't.
The truth is very simple. An idol is a rock or stone or some other created thing that is worshiped - that is treated as a Deity.
Catholics do not regard Mary as a Deity, and still less do they regards statues of her as Deities.
Polaroid idolatry. LOL!!!!!
Then why pray to her? She cannot hear you she has died and knows the corruption of the grave.