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Of course Catholics pray to saints FOR things. Everyone knows this. And here are links to show it.

Google Catholic prayer to Mary and saints....

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?s=31

http://www.marypages.com/PrayerstoMary.htm

And do not Catholics pray to Michael the Archangel for protection?

ttp://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/michael.htm

h St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

And Christopher for safety traveling?

http://www.catholic-saints.info/catholic-prayers/prayer-to-saint-christopher.htm

"Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye. That no one shall be hurt as I pass by. You gave life, I pray no act of mine may take away or mar that gift of thine. Shelter those, dear Lord, who bear my company, from the evils of fire and all calamity. Teach me, to use my car for others need; Nor miss through love of undue speed The beauty of the world; that thus I may with joy and courtesy go on my way. St. Christopher, holy patron of travelers, protect me and lead me safely to my destiny. Amen. "

And to Anthony to help find something lost?

http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-to-st-anthony.html

"Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find (mention your petition) which has been lost. As least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss."

First, I doubt that you will object to this passagef rom The Catechism:

970 “Mary’s function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin’s salutary influence on men . . . flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its power from it.”513 “No creature could ever be counted along with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer; but just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways both by his ministers and the faithful, and as the one goodness of God is radiated in different ways among his creatures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source.”514

So how do we reconcile the Catechism with prayers beseeching the intercession of St. Michael, for example? It’s simply understood that St. Michael’s power to defend us from “the wickedness and snares of the devil” derives from God.

I might say to my cancer surgeon, “you’re my only hope!” But I wouldn’t consider him my “only hope” in the way I regard God as my only hope.

Most of this controversy seems to stem from ambiguous language or figures of speech, which is why I refer to the Catechism for clear, doctrinal language.